Julius Malema Takes A Stand Against Donald Trump's Funding Threats
- Julius Malema has responded strongly to Donald Trump's recent threats to cut funding to South Africa.
- Malema insists that no amount of external pressure will deter South Africa from its plans to expropriate land without compensation.
- Many South Africans have voiced concerns, pointing to Zimbabwe as an example of expropriation that didn't go as planned.
Listen up, folks. Julius Malema is not backing down, even when the President of the United States himself throws a punch. The leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has taken a firm stance against Donald Trump's warnings about cutting funding to South Africa.
Let’s break this down. Trump recently made headlines by declaring he would stop financial support to South Africa because of the country's plans to seize land without compensation. According to Trump, this move is about protecting certain groups from being treated poorly. But Malema isn’t buying it.
Malema Fires Back at Trump’s Remarks
At an EFF media briefing on January 3, 2025, Malema didn’t mince words. He called out Trump's comments as a direct attack on South Africa’s sovereignty. Malema made it crystal clear that the country won’t be swayed by outside threats when it comes to land expropriation.
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“We want to be absolutely clear with the U.S. president: We will take the land without compensation, and we will push forward with the necessary laws to make it happen. No threat is going to stop us,” Malema stated with determination.
Malema also pointed out that leaning too heavily on foreign investments and aid puts the nation at the mercy of imperialistic forces. It’s a bold statement, but Malema isn’t one to shy away from controversy.
What You Need to Know About Trump’s Comments
- The South African Chamber of Commerce in the United States is seriously concerned about how Trump’s statements might hurt the country's economic relationships.
- Some South Africans have accused AfriForum of betraying the nation by supporting Trump’s claims.
- Cyril Ramaphosa has urged the Trump administration to engage in constructive dialogue with South Africa’s government.
- Gwede Mantashe, another prominent political figure, has also pushed back against Trump's threats to cut funding.
South Africans Criticize Malema’s Approach
Malema’s fiery words didn’t sit well with everyone. Social media erupted with criticism, with many users reminding Malema of Zimbabwe’s struggles after similar land reforms. Here’s what some people had to say:
Barbara Minnie remarked:
“Take a look at Zimbabwe, Julius. That’s exactly what happens when you go down this road. A once-thriving nation turned into a wasteland.”
Dzivhuluwani Mphephu chimed in:
“Zimbabwe is right there as a warning. We’re too focused on greed instead of sharing the wealth. Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) is only helping a select few, not the entire population.”
Dries Botha had this to say:
“Maybe we should focus on fixing loadshedding and filling potholes first.”
Pat Van added:
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“Here we go again with another loudmouth jumping on the bandwagon. Maybe he should focus on creating jobs instead.”
Margaret Coetsee stated:
“Why don’t you go to America and tell him yourself?”
Tyron Buchholtz quipped:
“Says the guy who’s about to become part of the elite 1%. What a joke.”
Herman Hoffman concluded:
“This is just the last gasp of a dying movement.”
Who Is Julius Malema?
To understand Malema’s perspective, it helps to know a bit about his background. Julius Sello Malema was born on March 3, 1981, in Seshego, Limpopo, to a single mother who worked tirelessly as a domestic worker. Growing up in poverty, Malema developed a deep sense of empathy for those less fortunate, which fuels his political passion today. After losing his mother, his grandmother stepped in to raise him.
Malema’s education journey took him to Mohlakaneng High School, where he laid the foundation for his future. He later earned a diploma in youth development from the University of South Africa (UNISA) in 2010 and pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and African Languages at the same institution.
His political career started early—at the tender age of nine—when he joined the African National Congress’ Masupatsela (Trailblazers) movement. This was during a transformative period in South Africa’s history, shaping the young Malema into the fiery leader he is today.
Trump’s Tariffs Could Affect SA Prices
According to Briefly News, Donald Trump has announced plans to impose higher tariffs on foreign goods entering the U.S. In a virtual address at the World Economic Forum (WEF), Trump emphasized that these tariffs are aimed at boosting the U.S. economy.
But what does this mean for South Africa? Mary Vilakazi, FirstRand’s chief executive, is closely monitoring the situation. She’s assessing how Trump’s policies might impact local prices and economic stability. It’s a complex web, and only time will tell how these developments unfold.
