EFF leader Julius Malema has ruled out alliances with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus (FF+), saying cooperation with the parties would amount to a betrayal of the liberation struggle.
Addressing the Botswana National Front (BNF) National Conference in Jwaneng, Botswana, on Sunday, Malema said political movements that fought for change should not compromise their values by aligning with parties he accused of opposing the interests of the oppressed.
“We refuse to align with those who align with our oppressor; we will never align with the Democratic Alliance, we will never align with the Freedom Front that killed our people, and therefore any alliance is a sold-out position that seeks to undermine the progressive agenda that our people were killed for,” Malema said.
The remarks come amid political divisions in South Africa following the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) after the 2024 national elections, which brought the ANC into government with the DA and other parties, including the FF+.
The EFF has rejected the arrangement, arguing that cooperation with these parties undermines the interests of poor and working-class South Africans.
Malema praised Duma Boko’s rise to power, saying it represented a future for Africa beyond dependence on former liberation movements and placed the interests of citizens above capital.
He said Botswana’s mineral wealth, particularly diamonds, should be controlled in a way that benefits ordinary citizens.
“We wanted diamonds to be owned by the people of Botswana, not as shareholders alone, but also as managers. We must manage our whole economy. We must not just be shareholders,” Malema said.
He said governments should ensure that resources are used to address the needs of citizens, arguing that Botswana had an opportunity to transform its economy under the new administration.
“The place must know that it must attend to the demands of the people or it must try somewhere else because this is a new regime that is going to ensure that diamonds and the land, which is agriculture, benefit the people of Botswana,” he said.
Malema also warned against what he described as external influence on African countries, saying nations on the continent should strengthen ties with countries he considered allies, including China, Russia, Iran and Cuba.
“America will never be our friend,” he said.
He said African countries should focus on unity and resist divisions, adding that xenophobia undermined the continent’s shared identity.
He said Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries should strengthen their unity and work together, arguing that African people shared a common history of exploitation.
“Everyone who has engaged in xenophobic attacks in South Africa suffers from self-hate. Do not generalise all of us. We want African unity. We want the unity of SADC; we want to share in the land of Africa because we were collectively exploited.
“Everywhere where an African child is found, that African child is hated, black people are hated everywhere; we cannot afford to hate them here in Africa,” he said.
“We do not subscribe to xenophobia. We will never hate Botswana because we are married to each other, we even have children together, we go to school together,” Malema said.
He said Africans should recognise their shared identity and not turn against one another.
“When you see a black person, you must see yourself,” he said.
He also congratulated Boko and the BNF on their electoral victory, saying their success offered lessons for progressive movements across Africa.
The EFF leader also reflected on his return to Botswana after previously being barred from entering the country.
Malema was banned from entering Botswana during his time as ANC Youth League president after authorities objected to comments he made about the country’s leadership and political situation. The restriction was later lifted, allowing him to attend Boko’s inauguration after the 2024 election victory.
“I was banned here for many years, and I got an invitation from you that I’m unbanned. It’s so nice to be at home today and be able to enjoy the beautiful nature of Botswana,” Malema said.
He urged Boko to remain committed to his political principles despite possible challenges.
“If those consequences mean prison, if those consequences means death, make sure that you are not scared to confront them because victory is certain,” Malema said.
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