EFF Prepares for 2026 Local Elections: A Shift Toward Organizational Strength
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are entering the 2026 municipal polls with a renewed focus on internal structures rather than individual personalities. In an interview with the Sunday Times, EFF General Secretary Marshal Dlamini described the party’s current phase as the start of its “second decade” – a transition from building a solid organisation to directly competing for governmental power.
From Building Structures to Competing for Power
During the first ten years, the EFF concentrated on establishing a nationwide presence, recruiting members, and developing a clear ideological framework. Dlamini argued that this foundation is now secure, allowing the party to shift its aim from being the loudest opposition voice to forming an alternative government.
“In the first 10 years, we focused on building a solid organization with a firm foundation. Now we are saying that we must become the alternative government because that foundation is secure.”
– Marshal Dlamini, Sunday Times interview
Despite the departure of several senior leaders after the 2024 national elections, Dlamini dismissed claims that the party had been weakened. He pointed to the EFF’s ability to maintain stability and continue expanding its organisational footprint as evidence of resilience.
Sub‑Regional Reorganisation Boosts Grassroots Mobilisation
One of the party’s most significant organisational changes has been the replacement of a cumbersome regional model with a sub‑regional structure. Previously, a single regional manager could be responsible for overseeing as many as 135 districts. Under the new system, managers typically supervise between 12 and 16 districts.
This restructuring has made it easier to organise, campaign, and respond quickly to community needs. According to Dlamini, the EFF has successfully convened more than 200 sub‑regions without interruption, a figure he cites as proof of the party’s discipline and maturity.
- Total wards contested nationwide: 4,400 (a figure only the EFF and the ANC claim organisational capacity to cover).
- Average districts per sub‑regional manager post‑reform: 12‑16.
- Number of sub‑regions activated for the 2026 campaign: 200+.
Membership Base and Youth Engagement
The EFF reports that its total membership remains above 1.2 million, even though active renewals fluctuate around 900,000 due to the two‑year renewal cycle. Dlamini emphasised that the party has not experienced a mass exodus and that growth continues, particularly among young people who first join the Youth Command before progressing to the main body.
Youth remain a cornerstone of the EFF’s support base. The party’s voter‑registration drive therefore targets first‑time and young voters, aiming to convert its membership strength into electoral votes.
Voter Registration Strategy and Automatic Enrolment Call
Reflecting on the 2024 election, Dlamini noted that many EFF supporters were originally registered by other parties. To reduce reliance on external registration efforts, the EFF launched an aggressive campaign to register its own supporters directly.
In addition, the party continues to advocate for automatic voter registration: anyone receiving a South African identification document would be added to the voter roll automatically. Dlamini argues that this measure would reduce administrative barriers and increase participation, especially among youth.
Policy Platform: Land, Insourcing, Free Education, Healthcare
The EFF’s manifesto for the 2026 elections, described by Dlamini as a “people’s manifesto,” was compiled through extensive consultations with branches, communities, NGOs, and civic organisations rather than being drafted solely at party headquarters.
Core policy pillars include:
- Land expropriation without compensation.
- Insourcing of municipal services.
- Free, quality education for all.
- Expansion of 24‑hour public healthcare facilities.
Dlamini pointed to tangible outcomes from areas where the EFF has previously governed, such as informal settlements that have been formalised with roads, water, and electricity, and the establishment of 24‑hour clinics in Johannesburg under EFF leadership.
Coalition Approach and Ideological Boundaries
Acknowledging that coalitions are a reality of South African politics, Dlamini stressed that future negotiations would centre on policy programmes rather than the distribution of positions. The EFF would only consider coalition partners willing to implement its manifesto.
He ruled out any possibility of governing with the Democratic Alliance (DA) or the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), stating that their ideologies represent everything the EFF rejects. Conversely, the party remains open to working with other organisations that accept its transformation agenda.
Looking Ahead: From Opposition to Governing Alternative
As the campaign enters its final weeks, Dlamini reiterated that the EFF’s goal is to translate more than a decade of opposition politics into executive power. He expressed confidence that the party’s structures, membership, and policy platform are ready for the challenge.
“We come into these elections to govern. We believe the organization is ready, our structures are ready and our policies are ready.”
– Marshal Dlamini, Sunday Times interview
With a focus on organisational discipline, youth mobilisation, and a clear, consultatively‑driven manifesto, the EFF aims to present itself not merely as a protest party but as a credible alternative capable of delivering tangible improvements in service delivery across South Africa’s municipalities.
