UFS opens doors for EFF conference

Johannesburg - The University of the Free State has agreed to allow the EFF to hold its first national elective conference at its premises, the party said on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said in a statement that a number of other public spaces had refused to host the EFF since its formation in July last year.

"The University of the Free State has thus demonstrated that the principles and practice of academic freedom and institutional autonomy still exist in our society.

"The university does not have to agree with the EFF or its policies, it only needs to uphold and promote the principle that there must be a robust contestation of ideas in society and universities must be the first defence and providers of such a space."

The EFF's "National People's Assembly" would be attended by delegates from branches in good standing from the Western Cape, Free State, Northern Cape, Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

It would be held from 13 to 16 December under the theme "People's Power for Economic Freedom".

"We invite members of the university, all South Africans, Africans and the international community to contribute to the policy formulations that will take place by submitting proposals to the EFF leadership," Ndlozi said.