Julius Malema vs Elon Musk
By Thabo Mosia
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has rejected Elon Musk’s call for “immediate sanctions” against him, telling the billionaire entrepreneur to “go to hell”.
Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), as well as SpaceX, Tesla, and Starlink, had earlier demanded that Malema be declared an “international criminal” after a video of him chanting “Kill the Boer” resurfaced online. The tech mogul’s intervention has sparked a heated political confrontation, with the EFF dismissing Musk as an “imperialist” who has no authority to dictate South Africa’s political discourse.
Musk Labels Malema an “International Criminal”
The controversy began when a video of Malema speaking at an EFF rally circulated on X, showing him chanting “Kill the Boer”—a struggle song historically linked to South Africa’s fight against apartheid. The video, shared by social media personality Mario Nawfal, quickly went viral, drawing strong reactions, particularly from white South Africans who view the song as hate speech.
Musk was among those who condemned Malema’s rhetoric, writing on X:
“Immediate sanctions for Malema and declaration of him as an international criminal!”He also directed a post at South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, urging him to intervene:
“They are openly pushing for the genocide of white people in South Africa.”Musk’s comments were met with backlash from Malema’s supporters, who argue that the song is a symbol of resistance rather than a literal call for violence.
EFF’s Fiery Response: “Go to Hell!”
In response, the EFF issued a scathing statement on 9 February 2025, accusing Musk of meddling in South Africa’s domestic affairs and attempting to undermine the party’s agenda.
The statement, signed by EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo, described Musk as a “global billionaire maniac” who believes he can dictate the political direction of nations around the world.
Malema, in his own direct response to Musk, fired back with a personal attack, writing on X:
“I really think you have entirely lost your left brain: a typical spoiled brat and direct beneficiary of Apartheid whiteness. I know black people look the same to you, typical racist. Look closer, and you will realise those are two different people. America is exposing us to its stupidity. I don’t care about your sanctions; I will never stop fighting for black people to be equal to white people, and if that makes me an international criminal, I am proud to be one.”The EFF further declared:
“The EFF takes this opportunity to tell Elon Musk and all of his allies, in the USA, in Israel and the right-wing groups in South Africa which have mobilized Musk, to collectively go to hell.”The party also warned that Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service would never be allowed to operate in South Africa unless it complied with local regulations requiring 30% local ownership.
Historical Context of “Kill the Boer”
The song “Kill the Boer” has been a longstanding source of legal and political controversy in South Africa. Originally used as an anti-apartheid struggle song, it has remained in use among some political groups despite concerns that it could incite racial hatred.
In 2022, a South African court ruled that the chant was not hate speech, arguing that it must be understood within its historical and political context. However, white farmers and conservative groups have continued to push for its ban, arguing that farm murders in South Africa disproportionately affect white landowners and that the song contributes to a climate of hostility.
EFF Labels Musk a “Threat to African Sovereignty”
The EFF’s statement went further, branding Musk as a “capturer of governance in the USA” who uses his billionaire influence to manipulate global politics. The party called on nations such as Russia, China, India, and all African states to reject all business enterprises associated with Musk.
The statement read:
“The offense that Musk has made against the leader of the EFF constitutes a meddling in our domestic affairs which we do not take lightly, and he must be viewed as an imperialist who seeks to undermine the economic and political sovereignty of South Africa through sanctions.”The party warned that it would not bow to foreign pressure and would continue its push for land expropriation without compensation, a key EFF policy that Musk has previously criticized.
Political Reactions and Diplomatic Tensions
South African Government’s Response
The South African government has not yet issued an official response, but insiders suggest that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office is monitoring the situation closely. Given Musk’s global influence and the economic ties between South Africa and the US, the controversy has raised diplomatic concerns about possible US sanctions or trade restrictions.
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