South Africans Lament As Trump Browbeats Ramaphosa Over EFF Hate Speech, Rallies
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On May 21, 2025, a diplomatic clash between U.S. President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during a White House meeting sparked heated debates across South Africa, with citizens taking to X to express their frustration and divided perspectives. The tension arose when Trump confronted Ramaphosa over what he described as a “white genocide” in South Africa, leveraging videos of rallies held by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and its leader Julius Malema to paint a grim picture of the nation. The exchange, rooted in longstanding controversies over the EFF’s rhetoric and South Africa’s land reform policies, has left South Africans grappling with their country’s global image and internal divisions.
The main point of contention stems from Trump’s repeated claims—echoed since 2018—that white farmers in South Africa are being “brutally killed” and their land confiscated, a narrative fueled by Afrikaner advocacy groups like AfriForum and figures like Elon Musk. During the Oval Office meeting, Trump reportedly showed Ramaphosa footage of EFF rallies, where Malema and supporters have been recorded singing the anti-apartheid song “Dubul’ ibhunu” (“Shoot the Boer”), a chant that has stirred controversy for its perceived incitement of violence against white Afrikaners. Malema, a polarizing figure and the founder of the EFF since 2013, has long been a lightning rod for criticism, with his party’s radical stance on land expropriation without compensation amplifying tensions. As Tami Jackson (@TamiTamijack7) posted on X at 16:53 UTC, “Forget the ANC for one moment. I think we can all agree that Julius Malema and the EFF undeniably give South Africa a bad reputation. Those videos played by Trump’s team ARE ALL EFF rallies that informed their perception of SA. This party needs to be dealt with decisively!”
South African responses on X reveal a deeply divided populace. Some, like Jackson, view the EFF’s actions as a stain on the nation’s reputation, particularly given Malema’s history of provocative statements. In 2010, Malema was convicted of hate speech by the Equality Court of South Africa for singing “Shoot the Boer” at a rally, though more recent court rulings have protected the song as a form of historical expression. Swayam Maharaj (@Swayam_Maharaj) echoed this sentiment at 16:56 UTC, pointing to the broader implications: “The fact that Malema’s speech was protected by our courts, and a bill was signed into law to enable land expropriation without compensation, does not help Cyril’s case.” The bill Maharaj refers to, signed by Ramaphosa in January 2025, allows the state to seize land without compensation under specific conditions, replacing the apartheid-era Expropriation Act of 1975. While the ANC hailed it as a step toward addressing historical land dispossession, critics fear it fuels perceptions of racial targeting.
Others, however, reject the narrative peddled by Trump as a gross misrepresentation of South Africa’s complex socio-political landscape. Londa Mmbara (@LondaMmbara) countered at 18:44 UTC, “Or we can agree that trump is clueless about the affairs of our country and its historical background!” This sentiment aligns with Ramaphosa’s rebuttal during the meeting, where he dismissed claims of a “white genocide” as discredited. Data supports this stance: while farm murders do occur, they account for less than 1% of South Africa’s annual 27,000 murders, with violence affecting all racial groups, as noted in a PBS fact-check published on the same day. Evans Mathibe (@EvansMathibe) expressed frustration at the pressure to conform to American perceptions, writing at 18:25 UTC, “We are not going out of way to make sure Americans 🇺🇸🗽 see us the ‘right way’🤨. Who or how we are, can’t be determined by how Americans see or feel about [us] on a random day 🤦🏿♂️.”
The EFF’s rallies, often marked by red berets and military-style outfits, have become a focal point for international criticism, but some South Africans argue they are a symptom of deeper historical grievances. Buang (@Mabokisi) wrote at 20:02 UTC, “Apartheid did that, the chant a reminder of that system, we will not forget.” The “Shoot the Boer” song, rooted in the anti-apartheid struggle, reflects the lingering pain of a system that disenfranchised Black South Africans for decades, a context Trump’s narrative omits. Malema himself has dismissed accusations of inciting violence, claiming at an EFF media briefing that allegations of a white genocide are “absolute rubbish.” He further accused the U.S. of ignoring its own racial issues, stating, “there is actually black genocide in the U.S., they are killing black people in the U.S.”
Meanwhile, other X users shifted focus to domestic issues exacerbated by the international spotlight. Ali Naka (@MimiNiMwafrika) at 19:43 UTC highlighted South Africa’s broader crime challenges, noting, “Johan Rupert said park the farm murders a bit, the Western Cape is not the best run province – murder rate is the highest in the country.” This comment underscores a reality often lost in the “white genocide” debate: violence in South Africa, including in affluent regions like the Western Cape, affects all communities, with systemic inequality and crime rates remaining pressing concerns. Bheks (@kaMalambule) at 19:23 UTC pointed to another domestic threat, arguing, “Nope… @afriforum and their toxic Afrikaner Nationalist are the biggest threat to our country right now. Let’s not lose focus please.” AfriForum, a group advocating for Afrikaner rights, has been accused of inflating farm murder statistics to push a narrative of persecution, a claim the South African Police Service has been tasked with verifying.
The diplomatic spat has also raised questions about the effectiveness of Ramaphosa’s leadership in navigating both international perceptions and domestic unrest. Jewels (@Jewels_MsJay) at 20:25 UTC questioned the logic of Trump’s claims, asking, “Does that not show that there is no genocide in South Africa. Showing videos of rally proves what??” Her comment reflects a broader frustration with the oversimplification of South Africa’s challenges, where historical land inequities, economic disparities, and political rhetoric intersect in complex ways.
As South Africans lament the international portrayal of their nation, the clash between Trump and Ramaphosa has reignited debates over the EFF’s role in shaping the country’s future. While some see Malema’s rhetoric as a necessary confrontation of historical injustices, others view it as a reckless provocation that undermines South Africa’s stability and global standing. For now, the nation remains caught between defending its sovereignty and addressing the internal divisions that continue to fuel such controversies.
