The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) will confront its organizational challenges head-on during its third National People’s Assembly, Secretary-General Marshall Dlamini announced Thursday. The conference, gathering 2,500 delegates, comes as the party faces scrutiny following the departure of key leaders to Jacob Zuma’s MK Party.

“Our constitution demands that we must self-criticize,” Dlamini said in a statement ahead of the assembly. “We must not boast on empty and useless achievements. Where we have not done correctly, that is going to be the issue.”

The political report, to be delivered by Party President Julius Malema, will evaluate the EFF’s performance over the past five years. This assessment gains particular significance following the exit of prominent figures like Floyd Shivambu and Dali Mpofu to the MK Party.

Dlamini emphasised the organization’s commitment to transparency, stating they would not “sweep challenges under the carpet.” He outlined the assembly’s goal of emerging with a “solid and stronger EFF that is going to be ready to lead the people of South Africa.”

Questions about individual members’ futures, including former spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, were deflected by Dlamini, who insisted no individual stands above the organization. “This NPA is going to prove that no one is bigger than this organisation,” he stated, despite earlier assurances from Malema that Ndlozi remains a member in good standing.

The assembly will elect the party’s top six leaders, marking a crucial moment in the EFF’s development since its founding. Political analysts view this gathering as a test of the party’s resilience following recent leadership changes and its ability to maintain unity ahead of upcoming electoral challenges.