Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has appealed for farm killings to stop, while attempting to distance himself from a chant that has sparked controversy for years. At the party's rally in Soweto, Malema stated that the chant "Kill the boer, kill the farmer" was never meant in a literal sense. He emphasized that the killings on farms must stop, as they feed into a false narrative of white genocide in South Africa.
The chant has been a point of contention, with critics arguing it incites violence against farmers. In 2011, the Equality Court ruled that Malema's singing of the song amounted to hate speech. However, in August 2022, the court ruled that the chant was not hate speech, and the Supreme Court of Appeal upheld this decision in May 2024. The Constitutional Court subsequently refused AfriForum leave to appeal in March 2025.
Despite the court's ruling, the chant has been widely criticized, including by US President Donald Trump, who used it to support his claim of a white genocide in South Africa. In May 2025, Trump showed a video montage of Malema to President Cyril Ramaphosa, sparking concerns about the international perception of South Africa. Police figures have shown that the majority of farm murder victims are black, contradicting claims of a white genocide.
Professor William Gumede, an associate professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, has expressed concerns that the chant has caused division and fear in South Africa. While supporting constitutional democracy, Gumede believes that the court erred in its ruling on the chant, as it has real-life consequences. He argues that the focus should be on building a more inclusive future, rather than relying on slogans from the past.
Gumede also criticized Malema's speech, saying it lacks political maturity. He believes that campaigning on past slogans rather than offering substantive solutions to voters is a sign of populism. Gumede emphasizes that the only way to achieve prosperity in South Africa is through collaboration among all races and cultures.
The EFF, DA, and AfriForum were approached for comment but did not respond by the time of publication. The controversy surrounding the chant comes ahead of the 2026 local government elections, with the EFF and other parties vying for support. Malema's appeal for farm killings to stop has been seen as a significant move, but its impact remains to be seen.
The debate around the chant highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing South Africa's complex history and promoting social cohesion. As the country prepares for the local government elections, leaders' messages and actions will be closely scrutinized for their potential impact on the nation's fragile social fabric.
Key points
- Malema denies that his chant "Kill the boer, kill the farmer" was meant literally.
- The chant has been a subject of controversy and court rulings, with some arguing it incites violence.
- Critics argue that the chant has contributed to a divisive atmosphere in South Africa.
