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The conference is expected to take place this weekend.
EFF leader Julius Malema during a media brief at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg. Picture: X/Economic Freedom Fighters
British authorities have denied EFF leader Julius Malema a visa to the United Kingdom (UK), just hours before he was to depart South Africa for the Cambridge Conference.
The conference is expected to take place this weekend in London.
In a post on X, Malema claims that authorities provided “no substantial justification” for denying him the visa.
“It is clear to me that this is an attempt to silence a dissenting political perspective. We are currently at the OR airport, as we were promised that everything would be sorted by 15:30. Instead, we received a regret letter just four hours before our departure. This is unacceptable and spineless.”
The Citizen has contacted the British High Commission in Pretoria for comment. This will be included in the story once received.
The EFF said Malema, its president, was invited by the African Society of Cambridge University, to address its 11th Annual Cambridge Africa Together Conference, under the theme of “The Making of Africa’s Future President’s”.
“In what can only be described as an administratively orchestrated ban on the president of the EFF, the British High Commission has actively delayed the processing and approval of the visa application by the CIC, and has sent a letter of regret that it will not be processed in time for the address at Cambridge University”.
The EFF said a letter of regret was sent on Wednesday when Malema was set to depart to the UK following a confirmation that the visa would be processed this afternoon.
“This is nothing more than an expression of bureaucratic process being used to suppress political dissent and to ban the voices of the EFF from building global solidarity against Western Imperialism,” the red berets said.
The EFF said it is “well aware” the denial of the visa “is a reflection of the attitude of imperialism against Malema”.
“The United Kingdom is not only suppressing academic freedom by essentially banning the president of the EFF from travelling to the country, but is engaged in an open declaration of war against those who dare to stand up to warmongers such as the British Monarchy.
“The banning of the president of the EFF is a reflection of the continued control of the political process in the United Kingdom by the British monarchy, who clearly remain aggrieved by the EFF’s posture following the death of their ‘Queen’ Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor,” the EFF said.
The EFF said they will continue to build relations with all those who “appreciate the message of the EFF domestically and internationally, including citizens who reside in the heart of countries that perpetuate the underdevelopment of Africa, such as the United Kingdom”.
In February, South African-born tech billionaire Elon Musk called for Malema to be declared an “international criminal” on social media.
He made the remarks in response to an old video in which Malema claimed that the DA only supports its white leaders.
Musk accused Malema of deliberately calling for the genocide of white South Africans.
However, Malema hit back, saying he is “happy to be an international criminal”.
“I am so happy to be an international criminal. Do you know why? Because Nelson Mandela was an international criminal – that’s what they declared him for, fighting for the rights of our people.
“If it means I’m joining the ranks of Nelson Mandela by being declared an international criminal for fighting for the rights of my people, I’m a proud international criminal,” Malema said.
The Cambridge Africa Together Conference (ATC) 2025 is scheduled for 9–10th May 2025 at Cambridge Union and St John’s College in London.
The conference draws more than 250 participants, including Africa’s foremost policymakers and business leaders who shape the continent’s economic and political agenda, as well as leading academics and students from top global universities.
In its 11th edition, this year’s theme, “Flames of the Big Four, Shining with Many More”, examines how Africa’s leading economies are driving regional progress while highlighting transformative developments across the continent.
Over the course of two days, the conference will feature high-profile keynote speeches, expert-led panel discussions, and interactive breakout sessions, providing attendees with a platform to engage with government leaders, business executives, and industry pioneers.
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