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The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema responding to inputs from members of the Central Command Team on the political overview on December 6, 2025.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has labelled recent anti-immigrant activity in South Africa as Afrophobia, warning that it reflects deeper divisions rooted in the continent’s history.
Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Thursday, Malema argues that hostility towards foreign nationals is part of a broader colonial legacy aimed at dividing African nations.
His comments come amid a wave of protests in parts of KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Free State, where communities have taken to the streets over poor service delivery and ongoing governance challenges in metropolitan municipalities.
These demonstrations have also highlighted growing frustrations around unemployment and rising tensions linked to undocumented immigrants, with some residents claiming increased competition for limited job opportunities.
Malema says addressing these concerns requires tackling inequality and governance failures, rather than directing anger towards fellow Africans.
He says, “Colonialism survived by convincing Africans that they were strangers to one another. The Bellin conference divided us artificially into Anglophone, Francophone, Lusophone, and Arab Africa, not for our benefit, but to fragment Africa, African identity, and prevent continental unity.”
Malema adds, “From slavery to colonialism, to modern financial domination, the pattern has remained the same. Africa is valued for its mineral resources, labour, land, strategic position and markets. But African lives themselves are treated as disposable. The world speaks about democracy and human rights, yet throughout history, it has repeatedly supported dictatorship, destabilisation campaigns, assassinations and wars.”
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