Malema signals a shift as EFF reaches out to white voters ahead of local polls

A new tone from a familiar voice

At a moment when South Africa’s political landscape feels increasingly fluid, Julius Malema has struck a noticeably different note. Addressing delegates at the EFF’s second plenum of the National People’s Assembly in Boksburg, the party leader called on his supporters to actively engage white South Africans ahead of the upcoming local government elections.

For a movement long defined by confrontational rhetoric and radical economic messaging, the appeal sounded less like provocation and more like persuasion. Malema framed the outreach not as compromise, but as part of the EFF’s broader promise of economic freedom for all.

“Freedom from high walls”

Malema argued that fear has become a defining feature of white communities, driven by what he described as “non-existing threats.” He painted a vivid picture of gated homes, electric fences and high walls, suggesting that true freedom means more than physical security.

According to Malema, an inclusive economy would remove the need for fortified living. If everyone is empowered and able to participate meaningfully in South Africa’s economy, he said, fear would lose its grip. The message was clear: the EFF wants to be seen not just as a party of protest, but as one offering reassurance across racial lines.

On social media, reactions were mixed. Some praised the move as political maturity, while others questioned whether white voters would trust the overtureor whether EFF supporters would embrace it.

Drawing lines amid global tensions

Malema also addressed South Africa’s strained relations with Israel, welcoming the government’s decision to expel an Israeli diplomat but criticising it for stopping short of severing all diplomatic and economic ties.

At the same time, he issued a firm warning against harassment of Jewish people, stressing that opposition to Israel’s actions should not translate into hostility toward Jewish communities. In a country with a painful history of racial and religious division, the distinction carried weight.

Africa’s silence and a political crossroads

Beyond domestic politics, Malema lamented what he sees as Africa’s fragmentation on the global stage, arguing that the continent’s silence weakens its collective power when countries like South Africa come under pressure.

As he turned back to local politics, the tone sharpened. The upcoming local government elections, Malema admitted, are existential for the EFF. The party now faces a defining choice: adapt and grow, or risk political decline.

The outreach to white voters may signal a tactical shift, but it also reflects a broader recalibration. Whether this new approach broadens the EFF’s appealor alienates parts of its base, will become clear when voters head to the polls.

{Source: ENCA}

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