EFF turns 13: Malema seizes moment as ANC helicopter makes its presence at Thohoyandou event

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) celebrated their 13th anniversary in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, on Saturday, 25 July 2026, where party leader Julius Malema used the platform to launch the party’s 2026 local government election manifesto and unveil mayoral candidates.

During the event, which drew thousands of supporters to the Thohoyandou Stadium, Malema addressed the crowd and seized the moment when an ANC helicopter made its presence known over the venue.

The collapse of our municipalities and the failure of local government in South Africa are not just about broken pipes, potholes, refuse collection, water and electricity supply. It is about the daily lives and lived experience of our people.

Malema described the upcoming elections as a choice between victory or death, emphasizing that the EFF’s manifesto focuses on practical commitments to restore municipalities through clean governance, accountability, and reliable service delivery.

There can be no real freedom without functioning municipalities. There can be no dignity without water, reliable electricity, safe roads and functioning clinics.

The EFF leader also defended the party’s track record in coalition governments, highlighting improvements in service delivery in Ekurhuleni and Tshwane, and announced that the party would field its own mayoral candidates for the country’s eight metropolitan municipalities rather than supporting other parties.