Julius Malema Furiously Blasts Ramaphosa for Cozying Up to ‘Racist’ Elon Musk: Jaw-Dropping Accusations Ignite Firestorm in South Africa’s Political Showdown

Cape Town, March 12, 2025 – South Africa’s political landscape erupted into chaos today as Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema unleashed a blistering tirade against President Cyril Ramaphosa, accusing him of betraying the nation by “cozying up” to billionaire Elon Musk, whom Malema branded an “unrepentant racist.” The explosive confrontation, which unfolded during a heated National Assembly session, has ignited a firestorm of debate, thrusting the country into yet another polarizing showdown.

Malema’s fury stemmed from Ramaphosa’s recent informal engagement with Musk, the South African-born tech mogul whose controversial statements about the country’s land reform policies have long drawn ire. “Why are you sipping tea with a man who calls our laws racist while he sits on his American throne?” Malema roared, his voice echoing through the chamber. He accused Ramaphosa of bypassing the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to hold secretive talks with Musk, suggesting the president was “selling out” South Africa’s dignity to curry favor with global capitalists.

The EFF firebrand didn’t stop there. In a jaw-dropping claim, Malema alleged that Ramaphosa’s meeting with Musk—rumored to have taken place on the sidelines of a UN General Assembly event—emboldened “white supremacists” to undermine the nation. “You’ve rolled out the red carpet for imperialists while our people still languish in poverty!” he thundered, pointing to Musk’s outspoken criticism of South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment policies as evidence of his “colonial mindset.”

Ramaphosa, visibly unruffled, dismissed the accusations as “theatrical nonsense,” defending his engagement with Musk as part of broader diplomatic efforts to attract investment. “South Africa cannot afford to shut the world out,” he countered, emphasizing that his administration operates collaboratively with DIRCO. Yet, his calm demeanor only fueled Malema’s outrage. “You’re not fooling us with your smooth talk!” the EFF leader shot back, accusing Ramaphosa of prioritizing personal ties over national sovereignty.

The clash has sent shockwaves across South Africa, with social media ablaze and political analysts scrambling to unpack the fallout. Supporters of Malema hailed his stance as a fearless defense of the country’s post-apartheid ideals, while critics decried it as reckless populism. Meanwhile, Musk—never one to shy from controversy—reportedly stoked the flames with a cryptic post on X: “Some leaders talk progress, others just scream into the void.” Though he didn’t name Malema, the timing left little doubt about his target.

As the dust settles, the incident has exposed deep fissures in South Africa’s political fabric. With tensions already high over land reform and economic inequality, Malema’s accusations have thrust Musk into the center of a debate he’s long courted from afar. Whether Ramaphosa’s outreach to the Tesla titan yields investment or merely more division remains unclear. For now, one thing is certain: this fiery showdown has set the stage for a battle that could define South Africa’s future—and neither side is backing down.