South African opposition leader Julius Malema paid a courtesy visit to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos House, Marina, on Saturday.
Malema, who leads the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), was warmly received by the governor. In a post shared on his official X handle, Sanwo-Olu confirmed the meeting and posted photos from the courtesy visit.
According to the EFF, Malema is expected to address the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) during its annual general conference in Enugu on Sunday, August 24, 2025. The event will be held at the Enugu State International Conference Centre.
The South African politician, known for his fiery rhetoric, has often stirred controversy over his continued use of apartheid-era struggle chants. In May, Malema reiterated his commitment to such chants after they featured in a contentious White House meeting between US President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
During that meeting, Trump presented a video in support of his claim of “white genocide” in South Africa. Malema was a central figure in the clips, seen chanting calls to “cut the throat of whiteness” and singing the controversial anti-apartheid song, “Kill the Boer, kill the farmer.”
The decades-old chant, which originated during the fight against apartheid, remains divisive in post-apartheid South Africa. While many see it as part of the liberation struggle’s history, its continued use has angered groups representing white South Africans, with several attempts made to ban it.
See photos from Malema’s visit below:
What you should know
Julius Malema, 44, is the leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a Marxist-inspired opposition party.
Known for his radical speeches and populist style, Malema has been one of the most polarizing figures in South African politics since the end of apartheid.
