Let's work with China: Julius Malema labels Donald Trump ‘Adolf Hitler’, calls for closer bond with Beijing
Julius Malema outlines the EFF’s position on South Africa’s global alliances during a press conference in Johannesburg.
Image: Facebook/ EFF
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has urged the South African government to abandon what he described as its deteriorating relationship with the United States and instead focus on strengthening ties with the People’s Republic of China, the world’s second-largest economy and a longstanding ally of Pretoria.
Addressing journalists in Johannesburg, Malema said the Democratic Alliance (DA), which previously frowned upon South Africa's relationship with China, had undergone what he termed a “Damascus moment” and now supports Pretoria’s ties with Beijing.
“We are saying to you, trade with China. Let’s work with China. The DA said China is an undesirable partner, and all of that. After eating Uber Eats, he (DA leader John Steenhuisen) was in China, he wanted to eat with those things, chopsticks.
“We have been saying to you, go to China. Like we are saying now. John Steenhuisen has made a turn in China. So what is it that you are scared of EFF to be in the GNU (Government of National Unity), is it because it is going to push you to go to China? The DA has gone with you to China, nothing happened.”
At the press briefing where Malema referred to United States President Donald Trump as a “modern-day Adolf Hitler”, the EFF leader said his party could not be blamed for the nosediving of relations between Pretoria and Washington.
During President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to the US in May, Trump paused their meeting to show a video montage of Malema chanting “Kill the Boer”, subsequently questioning why the EFF leader had not been arrested for using the controversial liberation-era slogan.
President Cyril Ramaphosa with Donald Trump in the White House.
Image: File
“The footage that is being played at the Oval Office is being used to peddle lies about South Africa, and that cannot be used to persuade us from our stance because there is nothing we are saying that will strengthen the case for South Africa against Trump’s position, which is very clear, of isolating South Africa. It doesn’t matter what you say or do," said Malema.
“The man has taken a decision to go against South Africa, not for what the EFF says, for the South African government's position against Israel, taking the Israeli government to the International Court of Justice. That is what has offended the USA. The relationship of South Africa with China, Russia, Brazil and India — our participation in BRICS — is what has offended the USA.
“We don’t think there is anything we have done or said that will worsen the situation between South Africa and the Adolf Hitler of a modern day called Donald Trump. It doesn’t matter how many times you go to the Oval Office, our president went there with his clowns to try and explain themselves, and it didn’t work," he said.
Malema said South Africa must strengthen its position globally by focusing on internal investment, the beneficiation of raw materials, economic growth, and diversifying its trading partners.
President Cyril Ramaphosa and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Image: GCIS
Last month, IOL reported that the Chinese Consul General in Johannesburg, Pan Qingjiang, told a high-level seminar titled China’s Development, Global Opportunities that, under the guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Cyril Ramaphosa, China–South Africa relations have expanded into what Pan called an “all-round strategic cooperative partnership in a new era.”
He highlighted that China has been South Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, while South Africa remains China’s biggest partner on the continent. He said more than 200 Chinese companies have invested over US$11 billion in South Africa, creating around 400,000 local jobs across sectors such as manufacturing, energy, mining, and agriculture.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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