‘Older men gossiping about me’: Malema reacts to Ramaphosa-Trump meeting after Kill the Boer videos

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has dismissed claims of a white genocide in South Africa, following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s meeting with United States (US) President Donald Trump.

The two leaders met at the White House in Washington D.C on Wednesday, as the South African government sought to ease diplomatic tensions with the US.

Strained relations have emerged over South Africa’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict and controversial legislation such as the Expropriation Act.

The meeting also took place just days after the US granted refugee status to a group of 49 Afrikaners citing alleged persecution.

Malema reacts to Ramaphosa-Trump meeting

During the meeting, Trump was questioned about allegations of white genocide in South Africa.

The US president, however, played a compilation of videos featuring Malema singing the apartheid-era struggle song Kill the Boer, as well as footage of him advocating for land expropriation without compensation.

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In response, Malema reiterated his position on the matter.

“A group of older men meet in Washington to gossip about me. No significant amount of intelligence evidence has been produced about white genocide.

“We will not agree to compromise our political principles on land expropriation without compensation for political expediency,” he stated in a post on social media platform X.

AfriForum

AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel commented on the video clips, clarifying that they did not originate from his organisation.

“I think President Trump himself made a compilation of all these videos, which was, of course, not our compilation,” he told eNCA.

Kriel also criticised court rulings on the Kill the Boer chant and Ramaphosa’s reluctance to condemn the song.

READ MORE: Trump lashes out at SA again as AfriForum thanks US president

“We have a court system not protecting farmers that are being murdered and the president now tries to say this is the other party.

“The worst thing of this is that the South African president refused to condemn this.”

Despite the tensions, Kriel expressed relief that the meeting did not fall apart and welcomed the opportunity for further dialogue.

“I think now the circumstances have been created for further discussions. From AfriForum’s side, we also want solutions. That is why we were willing to say we will discuss this with the ANC.”

DA slams Malema, MK party

Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Emma Powell described the meeting as “chaotic” and “difficult”.

She praised DA leader John Steenhuisen for addressing what she termed the “radical racist” and “very destructive agendas” of Malema and the uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK) party.

“He rightfully explained that Julius Malema is not a minister and does not form part of government,” Powell told eNCA.

“I think we were all deeply shocked when we were suddenly shown these horrendous videos.

“The shoot the boer, kill the boer sentiment cannot be tolerated in South Africa. It is indeed a call that is completely antithetical to our constitution. We must reject it,” she added.

READ MORE: Genuine genocide or a farce? What farmers at Nampo think of Trump’s refugee offer

Powell emphasised the importance of restoring trade relations, particularly in the context of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa).

“We know that Agoa is all but dead in the water. I think that it’s critically important that President Trump oppose the deal with the issue of trade tariffs, specifically in the automotive sector, and what can be done to ameliorate a breakdown or a carve out in terms of a collapse in that industry.”

She also expressed hope that Trump would attend the upcoming G20 Summit in South Africa.

Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber welcomed efforts to attract foreign investment.

“I strongly support the comments by President Ramaphosa’s delegation in the Oval Office, calling for technological investment to support our existing drive to digitally transform civics services and immigration. Let’s work together to supercharge digital reform.”