Malema dismisses Afrikaner emigration to the U.S. as a hoax

May 20, 2025 155 3

EFF leader Julius Malema has labelled the emigration of the group of Afrikaners to the United States as a ‘fantasy’.

Speaking to supporters at the EFF’s VAT Victory March in Tshwane, Malema urged the government to obtain the addresses of those claiming to leave, so their land could be expropriated.

“Those 49 Afrikaners who were marching, going to United States of America (USA) , you must know that it is not real. It’s fiction. Those people were acting, they’re are very good actors. They boarded a plane, then when it landed they asked the camera guys to film them and soon after that the country had no idea where they were. That’s when they board the next flight back home,” says Malema.

He also took a swipe at AfriForum’s Kallie Kriel, saying he should have led by example and fled to America as a refugee himself.

AfriForum has been a vocal opponent of key government legislation, including the Expropriation Act and the BELA Act.

The lobby group claims white Afrikaners are victims of racial discrimination in South Africa, a claim that reportedly prompted the U.S. President to offer them refuge.

Last week, the Trump administration welcomed at least 49 Afrikaners who say they are fleeing racial persecution in South Africa.

EFF on VAT hike

Malema says the recent VAT hike reversal is not enough, calling instead for the South African Reserve Bank to be fully state-owned.

Malema condemned the presence of private shareholders in the Reserve Bank, arguing that full public ownership is essential for national sovereignty.

“Our demands are very simple. We want the Reserve Bank to belong to South Africa if we want to guarantee the sovereignty of the country. Why do we have private shareholders in the Reserve Bank? Why is our data and airtime expiring?,” says Malema.

Malema also expressed skepticism ahead of Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s upcoming budget policy statement, saying he expects little in the way of meaningful change.

Godongwana is set to table his third budget policy statement in the National Assembly, with VAT remaining at 15%. However, he has warned that maintaining the current rate could result in a R75 billion revenue shortfall over the medium term.

Malema claimed the budget would offer no real plan for job creation, vowing that the EFF would continue to fight for the country’s marginalised until they see tangible economic relief.

EFF on Land expropriation

The EFF has reaffirmed its commitment to land reform, vowing to continue fighting for the full implementation of land expropriation without compensation.

EFF Secretary-General Marshall Dlamini said the party would not rest until land is returned to what it calls its rightful owners.

“The ultimate victory for the EFF is the return of our land. That is where we will stop fighting. This is just a small victory. We want our land back. This Expropriation Act of 2024 that was signed by Ramaphosa, that is irritating Donald Trump, is not the one,” says Dlamini.

The party has criticised the newly signed legislation, claiming it maintains the status quo by allowing 93% of land ownership to remain in the hands of white South Africans.

The EFF argues that the bill must be repealed and that Section 25 of the Constitution should be amended to allow land expropriation without compensation.