On May 21, 2025, a diplomatic clash between U.S. President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during a White House meeting sparked heated debates across South Africa, with citizens taking to X to express their frustration and divided perspectives. The tension arose when Trump confronted Ramaphosa over what he described as a “white genocide” in South Africa, leveraging videos of rallies held by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and its leader Julius Malema to paint a grim picture of the nation. The exchange, rooted in longstanding controversies over the EFF’s rhetoric and South Africa’s land reform policies, has left South Africans grappling with their country’s global image and internal divisions.
The main point of contention stems from Trump’s repeated claims—echoed since 2018—that white farmers in South Africa are being “brutally killed” and their land confiscated, a narrative fueled by Afrikaner advocacy groups like AfriForum and figures like Elon Musk. During the Oval Office meeting, Trump reportedly showed Ramaphosa footage of EFF rallies, where Malema and supporters have been recorded singing the anti-apartheid song “Dubul’ ibhunu” (“Shoot the Boer”), a chant that has stirred controversy for its perceived incitement of violence against white Afrikaners. Malema, a polarizing figure and the founder of the EFF since 2013, has long been a lightning rod for criticism, with his party’s radical stance on land expropriation without compensation amplifying tensions. As Tami Jackson (@TamiTamijack7) posted on X at 16:53 UTC, “Forget the ANC for one moment. I think we can all agree that Julius Malema and the EFF undeniably give South Africa a bad reputation. Those videos played by Trump’s team ARE ALL EFF rallies that informed their perception of SA. This party needs to be dealt with decisively!”