Salaries net worth

Julius Malema’s Millions: What the EFF Leader Really Earns and Owns in 2025

Published

1 month ago

July 24, 2025

Chiraag

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Love him or loathe him, Julius Malema is a name that stirs up strong opinions across South Africa. Firebrand activist, political disruptor, and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Malema has built a reputation on bold speeches, radical ideas, and an unmistakable flair for political theatre. But behind the red beret lies another layer that keeps making headlines: his money.

How much does Julius Malema really earn? Where does his wealth come from? And is his lifestyle backed by facts or fuelled by speculation? In 2025, those questions remain more relevant than ever.

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What Julius Malema Earns in Parliament

Currently serving as a Member of Parliament (MP), Malema earns a state salary estimated at R133,000 per month, which works out to around R1.6 million annually. That puts him on par with other MPs, even though he leads a minority party.

But political watchers believe his ambitions may push him further up the ladder. If Malema were to move into a deputy presidential role in the near future, a position his party has hinted at, his salary could climb to between R2.9 million and R3.5 million a year. For now, though, his official income remains in line with MP standards.

The Bigger Picture: Net Worth and Business Empire

According to Business Insider and other reports, Malema’s net worth in 2025 is estimated at around R45 million. That figure includes not only his political salary but also alleged business interests and income from trusts.

Several business entities have been linked to Malema over the years, including:

Ratanang Family Trust
Kopano Charity Trust
Mazimbu Investment Trust
Munshedzi Family Trust

While Malema denies personally enriching himself through these structures, critics and investigative journalists have often pointed to these vehicles as part of a much larger financial footprint.

Cars, Cribs, and Controversy

Malema has also come under fire for his taste in cars. His collection reportedly includes:

Two Range Rovers
A Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
A Viano Minibus

The total value? An estimated R56.5 million, though much of this was acquired during his time as ANC Youth League president between 2008 and 2012, which only fuelled speculation about the sources of his funding at the time.

On the property front, he’s said to live in Johannesburg near Hyde Park, an area known for its leafy streets and old-money mansions. He denies owning additional properties, but several are allegedly held under family members’ names.

Political Gifts or Personal Gains?

As a high-profile figure, Malema has received a curious list of gifts over the years. These range from the symbolic, like books, traditional Xhosa attire, and music CDs, to the material, like an R400 bottle of wine, R1000 donations, and other tokens from local leaders and supporters.

Whether these gifts are cultural, political, or personal in nature often depends on whom you ask.

Public Scrutiny and the Trust Deficit

Despite ongoing public interest and criticism, no formal corruption charges have stuck. While accusations of money laundering and illicit enrichment continue to shadow his image, Malema has not been successfully prosecuted and continues to deny wrongdoing.

That said, public trust in political financial transparency remains low, especially when it comes to leaders who position themselves as anti-establishment. Malema’s wealth often becomes a focal point of debate: is he practising what he preaches or benefiting from the very system he vows to dismantle?

A Polarising Figure With Real Power

Whether you see him as a revolutionary or a contradiction, Julius Malema’s wealth and lifestyle remain tightly woven into his public persona. As South Africa heads into another election cycle, scrutiny over the financial affairs of its political elite, especially those who speak against capitalism while enjoying its spoils, will only intensify.

For now, the EFF commander-in-chief continues to walk the line between populist icon and millionaire politician, with millions watching closely.