EFF Leader Julius Malema vs US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
By Thabo Mosia
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared on 24 March 2025 that the chant “Kill the Boer” constitutes incitement to violence. His remarks, posted on the social media platform X, have intensified global focus on South Africa’s domestic politics, historical struggle songs, land reform tensions, and the rights of minority communities. Rubio further urged South African leaders to take action to protect Afrikaners and “other disfavoured minorities,” adding that the United States was “proud to offer those individuals who qualify for admission to our nation amid this continued horrible threat of violence.”
The remarks from one of the most powerful diplomatic voices in the United States follow a Sharpeville Day rally led by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema on Friday, 21 March 2025. At the event, held at Dlomo Dam in Gauteng, Malema and a crowd of supporters sang the anti-apartheid struggle song “Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer.” The rally commemorated the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960, during which 69 peaceful protesters were killed by apartheid police.
Rubio’s intervention, which comes amid a renewed international debate over South African racial tensions, adds to a growing global outcry initially inflamed by tech billionaire Elon Musk, who accused the EFF of promoting “white genocide” following the same rally.
The Sharpeville Rally and the Song That Sparked Global Outrage
The EFF’s Sharpeville Day rally was intended to honour the 69 black South Africans who lost their lives at the hands of apartheid police on 21 March 1960. This date is now observed as Human Rights Day in South Africa, marking a turning point in the country’s liberation struggle. However, what was meant to be a solemn occasion quickly drew international headlines after video footage showed Malema and his supporters singing “Kill the Boer.”
Elon Musk, reacting to the footage, posted on X: “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.” Musk’s post received millions of views and polarised social media users worldwide.
Musk further alleged that the South African government had passed a law that allows land expropriation from white people “at will with no payment” and claimed that his satellite company, Starlink, was denied a license to operate in the country “simply because I’m not black.”
The claims by Musk have been echoed and amplified in right-wing political circles globally. However, South African officials and legal experts have moved swiftly to counter these assertions, stating that they misrepresent both the historical context of the song and the current legal landscape in South Africa.
Historical and Legal Context: The Meaning of “Kill the Boer”
“Dubula ibhunu,” which translates to “Shoot the Boer,” is a song deeply rooted in South Africa’s liberation struggle. It emerged in the 1980s as a form of protest against the apartheid regime, particularly targeting the National Party government and the police and military apparatus that enforced racial segregation and oppression.
Legal debate surrounding the song has long been a feature of South African discourse. In 2022, the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that the chant does not constitute hate speech. The court stated that “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.” Instead, the court regarded the song as political expression protected under Section 16 of the Constitution, which upholds the right to freedom of speech and expression.
EFF leaders have consistently defended the song as part of South Africa’s political history and as a symbolic condemnation of structural inequality, rather than a literal call to violence.
Rubio’s Diplomatic Warning and Offer of Asylum
Marco Rubio’s comments mark a significant departure from standard diplomatic protocol. The US Secretary of State did not only criticise the chant; he went further, offering refuge to individuals in South Africa who feel threatened.
“‘Kill the Boer’ is a chant that incites violence,” Rubio wrote on X. “South Africa’s leaders and politicians must take action to protect Afrikaner and other disfavored minorities. The United States is proud to offer those individuals who qualify for admission to our nation amid this continued horrible threat of violence.”
This public offer of refuge has been interpreted by many analysts as both a humanitarian gesture and a political message. It also positions the US as a potential sanctuary for Afrikaners and other groups who perceive themselves as victims of targeted discrimination in South Africa.
South African authorities have yet to respond formally to Rubio’s remarks, but sources within the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) have expressed concern that such a statement could damage bilateral relations.
President Ramaphosa Responds: “We Reject Divisive Politics”
In his weekly newsletter dated 24 March 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa weighed in on the broader issues surrounding Human Rights Day and growing international attention on the country’s political discourse. Without referring directly to Rubio or Musk, Ramaphosa addressed what he termed “false narratives” being spread about the treatment of minorities in South Africa.
“We should not allow events beyond our shores to divide us or turn us against each other,” he wrote. “We must reject the idea that certain racial or cultural groups are under attack in our country. South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.”
Ramaphosa reiterated the government’s commitment to constitutional democracy, rule of law, and human rights for all citizens. He stated that since 1994, South Africa has held successive free and fair elections, safeguarding the rights of all communities. “Our democracy remains strong, and our institutions continue to protect the rights and dignity of every citizen,” the President said.
He also reflected on the global state of human rights, citing UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s concerns about the “toxic legacy” of colonialism and systemic inequality worldwide.
The EFF Stands Its Ground
The EFF has fired back at both Musk and Rubio. Party spokesperson Sinawo Thambo dismissed accusations of promoting genocide as “baseless and ahistorical.”
“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,” Thambo said.
During his speech at the Sharpeville 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.”
Malema later told a gathering at St. Paul African Apostolic Church: “I will never be bullied because I have never done any crime to anyone.”
In an earlier interview, Thambo described Musk’s intervention as part of a broader capitalist agenda. “Elon Musk seeks to capture the Presidency of the USA and is using his influence to manufacture panic. Julius Malema is an enemy of the capitalist establishment, and that’s why he’s being targeted.”
Unpacking Musk’s Claims: Fact vs. Fiction
1. “White Genocide” Mythology
The idea of “white genocide” in South Africa has been widely debunked. While farm attacks are a real and tragic concern, data does not support claims that white South Africans are being systematically targeted for extermination. Independent crime statistics show that violent crime affects all races, with black South Africans bearing the brunt of overall criminal incidents.
2. Land Expropriation Without Compensation
Musk claimed that a law was passed to seize white-owned land without compensation. This is factually incorrect. Although Parliament began debating a constitutional amendment in 2018 to allow expropriation without compensation, no law has been enacted. The amendment failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in 2021, and while the debate continues, no seizures have taken place.
3. Starlink Licensing
Musk also claimed that Starlink was denied a license in South Africa due to his race. Regulatory authorities have clarified that Starlink has not submitted a formal license application. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) enforces B-BBEE regulations, requiring partnerships with black-owned companies. Starlink’s non-compliance with this regulation is believed to be the true barrier—not racial discrimination.
Human Rights Day 2025: Calls for Reflection, Not Division
This year’s Human Rights Day was commemorated under the theme “Deepening a Culture of Social Justice and Human Rights.” Deputy President Shiphokosa Paulus Mashatile delivered the keynote address at the national event held at Derrick Ferreira Stadium in Kariega, Eastern Cape.
In Johannesburg, Constitution Hill hosted its annual Human Rights Festival from 20 to 23 March, encouraging citizens to reflect on the legacies of apartheid and honour the sacrifices made in pursuit of equality and justice.
Mashatile echoed the need for inclusive governance and active citizenship. “We must continue to build a South Africa that is non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and united,” he said.
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