Elon Musk
By Thabo Mosia
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has accused the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) of promoting “white genocide” after party leader Julius Malema led supporters in singing “Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer” at a rally commemorating the Sharpeville Massacre on Friday at Dlomo Dam. Musk’s claims, posted on X (formerly Twitter), have drawn sharp rebukes from the EFF and reignited debates about land reform, racial tensions, and freedom of expression in South Africa. The rally marked the anniversary of the 1960 massacre, a defining moment in the country’s anti-apartheid struggle.
The Sharpeville Rally and Musk’s Explosive Claims
The EFF’s rally at Dlomo Dam was held to honour the Sharpeville Massacre, where, on March 21, 1960, police killed 69 black protesters opposing apartheid pass laws. The event remains a cornerstone of South Africa’s liberation history. During the rally, Malema and EFF supporters sang “Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer,” a struggle song from the apartheid era, prompting a swift reaction from Musk.
In his post, Musk stated: “Very few people know that there is a major political party in South Africa that is actively promoting white genocide. The video below was just yesterday. A whole arena chanting about killing white people.” He further claimed that the South African government had recently “passed a law legalizing taking property from white people at will with no payment” and alleged that his company, Starlink, was denied a license to operate in South Africa “simply because I’m not black.”
Musk’s remarks, viewed millions of times, have amplified a contentious debate, drawing both support and criticism globally.
Understanding “Kill the Boer”: History and Legal Standing
The chant “Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer” (or “Dubula ibhunu” in Zulu) originated during the anti-apartheid struggle, symbolising resistance against oppression. The term “Boer” refers to Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch settlers. While some interpret the song as a metaphorical call to dismantle systemic inequality, others, including Musk, see it as a literal incitement to violence against white farmers.
In 2022, South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that the chant does not constitute hate speech. The court stated: “The reasonably well-informed person would appreciate that when Mr Malema sang Dubula ibhunu… he was not actually calling for farmers, or white South Africans of Afrikaans descent to be shot.” It described the song as a form of political speech, protected under Section 16 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression. This ruling has been pivotal in framing the chant as a legitimate part of South Africa’s political discourse.
Fact-Checking Musk’s Allegations
Musk’s claims have been met with scrutiny:
1. “White Genocide” Accusation: The notion of “white genocide” in South Africa is a widely debunked conspiracy theory. Experts and courts have rejected claims that the EFF’s use of “Kill the Boer” incites violence. The party frames the chant as a symbolic critique of economic and land disparities rooted in apartheid.
2. Land Reform Law: Musk asserted that a law was passed “a month ago” allowing the seizure of white-owned property without compensation. This is inaccurate. In 2018, Parliament began exploring a constitutional amendment to enable expropriation without compensation to address historical land dispossession. However, no such law has been enacted. As of November 2023, the process remains under debate, with recent updates indicating ongoing consultations but no final legislation, according to Business Day (October 2023).
3. Starlink Licensing: Musk’s claim that Starlink’s licensing woes stem from his race lacks evidence. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) oversees telecommunications licensing, guided by technical and regulatory criteria. A TechCentral report from September 2023 noted that Starlink has not yet applied formally in South Africa, with delays linked to compliance with local ownership laws rather than racial bias.EFF Fires Back: Malema and Thambo Respond
The EFF has dismissed Musk’s accusations as baseless. Spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said on Saturday: “There is no debate about ‘Kill The Boer, Kill The Farmer’ in South Africa, because the prerequisite of debate is engaging in literature around the subject matter.” He cited the 2022 court ruling and EFF literature, accusing critics of “pandering to the sentimentality of the failed reconciliation project.”
At the rally, Malema addressed Musk directly: “We must never be intimidated by Elon Musk. Our friends will never be The United Kingdom, France or the USA. They were never there for us during difficult times. Palestine was there for us.” He later spoke at St. Paul African Apostolic Church, reassuring South Africans: “I will never be bullied because I have never done any crime to anyone.”
In a February eNCA interview, Thambo claimed Musk seeks to “capture the Presidency of the USA” and use his influence to advance business interests, labelling Malema “an enemy of the capitalist establishment.”
Public Backlash and Expert Insights
Musk’s post drew sharp criticism online. A user named Brian on X wrote: “Elon Musk’s post is a dangerous distortion of reality, deliberately invoking the inflammatory and thoroughly debunked ‘white genocide’ conspiracy theory… His characterization that a ‘major political party’ actively promotes genocide is both factually incorrect and irresponsibly inflammatory.”
Political analyst Dr. Sipho Nkosi, quoted in a recent Mail & Guardian article (November 2023), argued: “Musk’s intervention reflects a misunderstanding of South Africa’s complex socio-political landscape. The EFF’s rhetoric is provocative, but it’s rooted in addressing structural inequality, not genocide.”
The Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa’s main opposition, has also weighed in. DA MP Leon Schreiber told News24 (October 2023) that while the EFF’s rhetoric can inflame tensions, claims of genocide are “exaggerated and unhelpful.”
Land Reform: A Persistent Fault Line
Land ownership remains a flashpoint in South Africa. Apartheid policies left most agricultural land in white hands, and the EFF has championed radical redistribution. The ANC-led government’s proposed reforms, including expropriation without compensation, aim to rectify this imbalance. However, a Reuters report (November 2023) noted that the process has stalled amid legal challenges and economic concerns, with no seizures occurring as Musk suggested.
Starlink’s South African Standoff
Starlink’s potential entry into South Africa has been a topic of interest. A MyBroadband article (October 2023) reported that ICASA requires foreign companies to partner with local firms under Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) rules, a policy Musk has not addressed. This regulatory hurdle, rather than racial discrimination, likely explains Starlink’s delay.
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