Washington, USA:
Billionaire Elon Musk has reportedly led South Africa’s political leadership after a video of the two-year-old chanting “kill Boer and kill farmers” at a rally attended by thousands of supporters who resurfaced on social media He criticized Julius Malema. The CEO of Tesla, born in Pretoria, South Africa’s capital, shared a clip of X, saying, “He chants “killing white farmers” in a cheering stadium.”
He’s killing a white farmer in a cheering stadium https://t.co/sykfc1ntou
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 9, 2025
Historically, the chant, linked to former African National Congress (ANC) youth leader Peter Mokaba, is rooted in the anti-apartheid struggle of the 1990s. Mokaba, who passed away in 2002, claimed it was a photor rather than a literal call to violence. In 2022, the South African Equality Court ruled that the slogan did not constitute hate speech under the national legal framework.
Julius Malema, leader of Economic Freedom Warrior (EFF), has a history of making radical statements. Founded after his expulsion from the ANC, his party is currently the third largest in South Africa, supporting land nationalization and redistribution of wealth. These policies have gained support among residents of many towns who feel that they are economically excluded even after apartheid has ended. The EFF secured 11% of votes in the last national election.
Malema gave the controversial chant at the EFF 10th anniversary rally in July 2023, where he told supporters, “We are seizing the government in 2024. A South African revolution is guaranteed “He said.
Musk then denounced the hymn and warned that “they are openly pushing forward the white massacre of South Africa.” He also wondered why South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hadn’t addressed the controversy.
They are openly pushing the white genocide of South Africans. @cyrilramaphosa, why don’t you say anything?
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 31, 2023
In response, Malema defended the chant at a press conference, claiming it was part of South Africa’s political history and not incitement to violence. He also launched an attack on the mask, saying that the billionaire “looks illiterate,” and that “the only thing that protects him is his white skin.”
This comes amid a new tension between South Africa and the United States after President Donald Trump announced that the US would cut all future aid to African nations over its land expropriation policy. This reduced South African rands by nearly 2% against the dollar.
Trump’s comments have made it easier for the state to expropriate the land with impartial compensation, with President Ramaphosa signing a new law. The ANC has long pushed land reform to address racial disparities in ownership.
This was not the first time Trump has threatened economic action against South Africa. In December, he warned about 100% tariffs on BRICS countries if they leave the use of the US dollar.
