Malema wants new name and emblem for Springboks

EFF Leader, Julius Malema, says South Africa’s national rugby team should be given a new name and emblem that will represent the country’s democracy.

Malema made the remarks at the EFF’s Ground Forces Forum at the Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg.

The four times World Rugby Champions beat New Zealand 12-11 in Paris more than a week ago.

The Springboks embarked on a victory tour in Gauteng, Cape Town, Durban and East London since their touchdown last Tuesday.

Malema says the name ‘Springbok’ is a symbol of apartheid and must be replaced.

He says the EFF doesn’t have a problem with rugby as a sport, but rather Amabhokobhoko.

“Springbok is an apartheid symbol, you can’t say remove apartheid symbols and maintain the name, the emblem and the colours that were used during apartheid by white people. You can’t say Rhodes must fall and don’t say Springbok must not fall, the Springbok must fall.”

The leader of the red berets says Amabhokobhoko is an Afrikaner pride and property.

“Why are we being forced to salute the emblem that was saluted by Malan, Botha, Verwoed and de Klerk, the same people who were killing our people wearing the same jersey in celebration of butchering our people? That emblem and that jersey represent white supremacists, that we don’t support.”

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CIC @Julius_S_Malema addressing the EFF Gauteng Provincial Ground Forces Forum.

– MABOKOBOKO is an Afrikaner pride, it’s an Afrikaner property – that is why the President of the Afrikaners, Johann Rupert, received amaBokoboko. #RegisterToVoteEFF pic.twitter.com/BFjZq7KS2b

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) November 5, 2023

Other political leaders, including the leader of the Patriotic Alliance, Gayton McKenzie took to X – saying they’ve moved on from any bad or racist connotation associated with the Springboks.

 “This is not the time to listen to fools like Malema, let’s celebrate our boys for a hard won victory. The Springbok name is going nowhere and klaar.”

Some members of the public also took to X to air their views on Malema’s call.

The influence of Malema is clear in this Springbok emblem debate.

What I mean is the following: he is driving the discourse.

Many people disagree with him on this matter of renaming and rebranding the Springboks but his ability to start a nationwide political conversation is…

— Africa Research Desk (@MightiJamie) November 6, 2023