Julius Malema Calls for a United Africa With One President and No Borders, South Africans Divided
- Julius Malema has made an impassioned speech about Africans uniting under one presidency and country
- The leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters believes that a united Africa will rival the United States of America
- South Africans shared their thoughts on Malema's comments, questioning how it would work under one president
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Source: Getty Images
ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA – Julius Malema has called for the continent of Africa to unite under one president and one currency.
Malema made the remarks at the Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) annual general conference on Sunday, 24 August 2025. The NBA’s annual general conference brings together legal practitioners, policymakers, judges, academics from across the continent, as well as international guests.
What did Malema say?
Addressing delegates at the conference, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader said that a unity between African countries would make the continent stronger economically and even more powerful than the United States of America (USA).
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“We demand one Africa. We demand a borderless Africa. We demand Africa with one president, with one currency, with one military command, with one Parliament. Because we know the currency of Africa will be much stronger against the American currency,” he stated.
He added that the continent needed to stand together to show the world that Africa is one. You can watch his statement below.
Malema praises Nigeria and condemns xenophobia
The EFF leader also showered praise on Nigeria, saying it was one of the countries that stood firmly behind South Africa during the dark days of Apartheid.
“I must reiterate once again that it is a deep honour to stand before you today in Enugu State in Nigeria, a country that holds a special place in the hearts of all South Africans.
“We understand history, feel solidarity and appreciate the sacrifice made by others in the course of our history. Nigeria is not just another African country to us,” the Red Berets leader said.
Malema then also condemned xenophobia, saying that it was a betrayal of African unity. He specifically focused on South Africans' hostility and discrimination towards Nigerians and citizens from other African countries, noting that it manifested in violence, killings, and attacks on their businesses.
He also made headlines in August 2024 when he defended Chidimma Adetshina, saying that people chose to fight an African child in favour of a white person.
Source: Getty Images
How did South Africans react?
Social media users were divided by Malema’s comments, with some welcoming his stance, while others questioned how it would work when the current leaders were struggling to look after their individual countries.
@pharrelm1 said:
“Only a sane person will understand the message. The United States of Africa has to be achieved. That’s the only way the African continent will be taken seriously by the Western world. Africa can be self-sustaining because we have everything here.”
@Sthamber agreed:
“The time of talking is over. The concrete plan must be put in place to pave the way forward to unite Africa. It is high time.”
@Monametsiii said:
“The current presidents can't take care of their citizens, not even the SADC or AU is showing up as a leader, so what about one President? Which President will agree to give up his position of power to one person?”
@SmiloMkhize_asked:
“So he wants South Africa to dissolve the little of what we have as borders and to report to one Parliament with the other 54 former countries? Is this the superior logic the red ants delve into every time they’re together?”
@THULIIIIIIIIII stated:
“That will never happen. Our presidents love power too much, and some are already compromised.”
@pavlovs_khat asked:
“So, illegals are welcome again? I can't seem to keep up.”
@KSathekgeJNR suggested:
“This is a goal we all share, but the change must begin within individual countries. It shouldn't be limited to South Africa alone. Charity begins at home. Let each nation put its own house in order first, and then we can come together in a world of clean, well-kept homes.”
@tsitso09 asked:
“Who will be the president, and how will he/she be elected or appointed? Malema is struggling to unite with his fellow South Africans. That's where he must start and unite with Zuma. Some of us have heard this talk long before Malema was born. Gaddafi wanted to be king of kings. Anyway, he had to say something to entertain the Nigerians and make a name for himself.”
@UTD_BUCCANEER stated:
“Uyanya, it will never work. How can a whole continent have one president while it can't even effectively take care of its respective countries? Imagine Ramaphosa, Mnangagwa or Tinubu being president of Africa 😂. The EFF is the most stupid political party.”
@ScottishMokubu1 said:
“Yes, we all agree. But everybody must get their countries in order first. We can't all unite in South Africa. People must go back home, and then we unite.”
Malema says Zimbabweans must seek employment in their own country
Briefly News reported that Malema made headlines recently for saying Zimbabweans should not be competing with South Africans for work.
The EFF leader said he supported Zimbabweans having employment at municipalities, as long as it was in their own country.
Social media users recalled how the comments were the opposite of his previous stance that Zimbabweans' struggles were those of South Africa.
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Source: Briefly News
