Julius Malema, aged 42, is one of South Africa’s most polarizing political figures. He is the founder and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a far-left Marxist political party known for advocating for the expropriation of land from white people without compensation. His controversial stances have resulted in constant accusations related to hate speech, earning him convictions for the crime.
Born on March 3, 1981, in Seshego, now in the South African province of Limpopo, Malema started his political career at a tender age. At nine years old, he was part of the African National Congress (ANC) children’s group, tasked with tearing down opposition party posters. He eventually rose through the ranks, becoming the president of the ANC youth in 2008 with the backing of then-future South African president Jacob Zuma.
However, his relationship with the ANC began to sour, and by the end of 2011, he was expelled from the party for “sowing division.” Undeterred, he founded the Marxist EFF in 2013, which became the third-largest political force in South Africa in the 2014 general elections. Malema has been openly critical of the ANC, accusing it of betraying revolutionary values.
Malema’s EFF further expanded its presence in the National Assembly during the 2019 general election, jumping from 25 to 44 seats and cementing its position as a primary opposition to the ANC.
Controversial Speeches
Known for his fiery oratory and populist speeches, Malema has been accused of inciting racial hatred. His inflammatory comments against the country’s white population, which constitutes around 8% of South Africa’s population, have been particularly controversial. He has even sung songs advocating for the killing of white people at political rallies and meetings.
During a 2018 interview with Turkish broadcaster TRT World, Malema stated, “we do not call for the death of white people, at least (not) for now. (But) I can’t guarantee the future.” In 2022, he defended the idea that “we should never be afraid to kill,” because murder is part of a revolutionary act. These comments led the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) to conclude that Malema was inciting hatred and violence.
South African-born billionaire Elon Musk has accused Malema of openly calling for genocide against white South Africans.
Legal Troubles
Malema’s legal issues extend beyond hate speech. He has also faced several allegations of corruption, money laundering, and extortion. However, his cases have been delayed, preventing a final verdict. Nevertheless, he has been fined twice for hate speech in 2010 and 2011.
Despite his legal troubles, Malema has not shied away from expressing his ambitions to become the next president of South Africa, although political analysts deem his chances slim. He and his party have long advocated for agrarian reform to redistribute productive land from white people to black people without compensation, citing it as a form of “historical reparation.”
The EFF also proposes the nationalization of mines, banks, and strategic industries to benefit the “poorest and the marginalized.” While local surveys indicate a potential increase in votes for the EFF in the upcoming elections, the party is unlikely to gain a majority, limiting Malema’s chances of becoming president.
The ANC, led by current South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, remains the country’s leading political party. However, it may lose its parliamentary majority in the upcoming elections. In South Africa’s parliamentary system, a party must win a majority in general elections for the National Assembly or form a substantial coalition to elect a new president.
