Malema Condemns Xenophobia in May Day Speech

EFF leader Julius Malema says South Africans are misdirecting anger at African migrants instead of addressing deeper economic and social issues. South African opposition leader and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) president Julius Malema has spoken out against xenophobic attacks in the country, urging citizens to stop blaming African migrants for their economic struggles. Speaking at a Workers’ Day rally on May 1, 2026, at Tlhapi Stadium in Wonderkop, Malema said many South Africans are afraid to confront white people but instead direct their frustrations toward fellow Africans. “They are scared of white people… when they speak to a white person, they are very respectful. But when they speak to a Black person, they are violent,” he said. Malema also questioned the purpose of anti-immigrant protests, arguing that removing foreign nationals would not solve unemployment. “After you march and say you don’t want Zimbabweans, Nigerians, or Ghanaians, why don’t you come back and tell us that you’ve created jobs for South Africans?” he asked. He added that many of the jobs linked to migrants are low-paying and unattractive to most South Africans, who prefer better wages and working conditions. Malema also linked current tensions to historical divisions, saying the patterns of violence seen today reflect unresolved issues dating back to apartheid. Source;Ghana Web