“Malema is the best weapon of the EFF” – Matshiqi says party mishandled his strengths and weaknesses

Political analyst Gogo Aubrey Matshiqi has offered a critical assessment of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), arguing that the party’s greatest political advantage is also one of its biggest vulnerabilities because of its dependence on leader Julius Malema.

Speaking during an interview on Radio 702’s TheCMShow, Matshiqi suggested that while Malema’s political strength, influence and leadership abilities have played a significant role in shaping the EFF’s identity, the party has struggled to manage both the positive and negative consequences of his political conduct.

Matshiqi made his position clear when discussing the relationship between Malema’s individual political influence and the broader fortunes of the organisation.

“Malema is the best weapon of the EFF. But they have failed to manage his strengths and weaknesses,” Matshiqi said.

His remarks highlight an important question about the EFF’s political strategy and its ability to build an organisation that can maintain its influence beyond the personality of its founding president.

Since establishing the party in 2013, Malema has remained its central political figure, providing much of its public visibility, ideological direction and electoral appeal. His outspoken approach, commanding presence and ability to mobilise supporters have helped distinguish the EFF from other political organisations in South Africa.

However, Matshiqi’s assessment suggests that the same qualities that make Malema an effective political campaigner can also create difficulties for the party when they are not properly managed.

The analyst’s argument points to the challenge facing political organisations built around powerful personalities. While strong leadership can provide direction, attract supporters and strengthen a party’s public profile, excessive dependence on one individual can expose the organisation to reputational and strategic risks.

For the EFF, this raises questions about internal accountability, leadership management and the development of structures capable of balancing the influence of its president with the interests of the broader organisation.

The comments also come amid an evolving political environment in which South African parties are increasingly being tested on leadership, organisational discipline and their ability to retain public confidence.

Although Malema remains a defining figure in the EFF, Matshiqi’s observations suggest that the party must find a way to manage his political strengths while addressing the weaknesses that could undermine its broader ambitions.

Ultimately, his assessment presents a difficult reality for the red berets: the political weapon that gives the EFF much of its strength could also become a source of vulnerability if not carefully managed.

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