At a time when political tensions in South Africa often run high, Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has reignited controversy by singing the well-known struggle song Kill The Boer during the party’s 12th birthday celebrations.
Celebrations in Cape Town Take a Familiar Turn
The EFF marked its 12th anniversary over the weekend with a rally in Cape Town.
Unlike last year’s massive gathering at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium, this year’s event took place at the more modest Khayelitsha Rugby Stadium.
Still, the energy was high, and as expected, Malema took centre stage—not just to deliver a speech, but to once again lead the crowd in a defiant rendition of Kill The Boer.
The song, which dates back to the apartheid era, continues to stir up heated debate every time it’s performed.
And Malema, never one to back down from controversy, has made it clear he intends to keep singing it, no matter the backlash.
Defending His Right to Sing
Malema addressed the issue earlier this year at a press conference, insisting that Kill The Boer is a piece of historical resistance, not a threat.
He emphasized that the courts have ruled in favour of its legality, calling it a symbol of South Africa’s painful past rather than a literal incitement to violence.
“I didn’t write the song,” Malema said. “It was composed by our struggle heroes.
Winnie Mandela sang it. It is part of our heritage and I will never stop singing it. To stop would be to betray the struggle.”
Global Figures React with Criticism
Despite being cleared by South African courts, the song hasn’t escaped international scrutiny.
In May, former U.S. President Donald Trump condemned it publicly, describing it as a dangerous “call to action.”
Elon Musk, who was born in Pretoria, and UK broadcaster Piers Morgan have also slammed the lyrics, labelling them racist and inflammatory.
The Song’s Deep Roots in South African History
Originally titled Dubul’ ibhunu, meaning “shoot the Boer,” the song first gained national attention when struggle icon Peter Mokaba sang it at a memorial in 1993.
It’s been used at various political events ever since, including rallies held by former President Jacob Zuma and other ANC gatherings.
For the EFF, singing this song has become somewhat of a tradition.
Malema has performed it not only at rallies but also at funerals and commemorations, using it to underline his party’s commitment to the legacy of resistance.
The Ongoing Question Around Its Place in Modern South Africa
Whether Kill The Boer still has a place in a democratic South Africa is a question that continues to spark passionate opinions.
Supporters argue it’s part of the nation’s revolutionary heritage, while critics say it incites division and violence.
What do you think—should such songs still be sung in today’s political spaces?
