Enugu, Nigeria – Julius Malema, President of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), delivered a keynote address at the 2025 Nigerian Bar Association Annual Conference, urging African nations to unite economically, politically, and socially.
Malema reflected on Africa’s colonial past, noting that generations of Africans were denied laws and rights that recognized their humanity, which made exploitation, slavery, and the plunder of mineral wealth legal. “To be African has meant enduring oppression, the theft of our heritage, and the destruction of our lives,” he said. He acknowledged Nigeria’s support for South Africa during apartheid, including the Southern African Relief Fund and educational programs that helped train black South Africans.
Recalling the Marikana massacre, Malema said the EFF was founded to complete South Africa’s liberation struggle after the compromise and corruption that followed the end of apartheid. “The pain and disregard for African life that led domestic workers, miners, gardeners, petrol attendants, students, and ordinary people to demand the formation of the EFF remain at the center of our mission,” he said.
Malema outlined plans for closer economic collaboration between South Africa and Nigeria, calling for joint ventures in mining, agriculture, energy, and manufacturing. He argued that Africa must process its own resources on the continent, rather than exporting raw materials to foreign powers and buying back finished goods at inflated prices.
Addressing xenophobia, Malema condemned attacks on Africans living abroad. “Nigerians, Zimbabweans, Congolese, and Somalis are not responsible for South Africa’s unemployment crisis. Unity, not division, is the solution,” he said. He called for the free movement of skilled African professionals across borders, saying the continent must harmonize trade policies, align visa regimes, and build infrastructure to integrate economies.
Malema also spoke on the role of law in Africa’s liberation, citing the slow pace of international courts in prosecuting crimes by global powers while swiftly punishing African leaders. He urged the legal profession to develop alternative African tribunals and courts to ensure accountability and justice. He highlighted cases in Western Sahara, Palestine, Cuba, Haiti, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, insisting that Africans must defend their sovereignty and rights.
The EFF leader reaffirmed the party’s commitment to policies that redistribute land, nationalize strategic sectors, expand education and healthcare, and promote industrial development to create jobs. He stressed that local procurement and empowering communities are essential steps to end exploitation and build sustainable economies.
Malema closed by emphasizing the enduring bond between Nigeria and South Africa. “Nigeria stood by us during our darkest hours. Our nations are giants of Africa. Together, we can industrialize, invest in education, and show the world that Africa is not a begging bowl, but a continent of giants,” he said.
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