Julius Malema, leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has declared that he would gladly seek the hospitality of Nigeria should the United States restrict his visa.
Speaking at a recent gathering in Johannesburg, where he outlined his party’s stance ahead of its national general council and discussed developments within South Africa’s government of national unity, Malema decried the influence of Western nations on the country’s politics.
The 44-year-old politician emphasised that South Africa’s multi-party democracy should chart its own course.
The EFF leader revealed that the United States is threatening to restrict his visa. Responding with sarcasm and defiance, Malema stated that if the US bars him, he would simply visit fellow African countries like Nigeria.
In a now-viral video, Malema described Africa as his true home, a place where he enjoys “absolute freedom”.
He said the American threat did not concern him because, instead of a US burger, he could freely enjoy Nigerian jollof rice.
“Even if America decides that I should no longer enter America, it is okay, I will enter Zimbabwe, I will enter Botswana, I will enter Nigeria, I will enter Africa, my home,” he said.
“Why should I be concerned about people who are going to feed me burger and make me fat when I can go to Nigeria and eat jollof?
“So why must I fight for burger instead of jollof?”
Malema recalled his visit in August for the Nigerian Bar Association’s annual conference, where he was treated to what he described as “nice jollof rice and delicious Nigerian pepper soup”.
“When we were in Nigeria, we were given a nice jollof rice and pepper soup. So you want to threaten me that you will not give me a visa to America or give me a visa to London? I do not care,” he added.
