Malema Denied UK Visa, Misses Prestigious Cambridge Africa Conference

EFF leader Julius Malema has publicly criticized the British High Commission after his UK visa application was not processed in time for him to attend the 11th Annual Cambridge Africa Together Conference. The firebrand politician was scheduled to address students at the prestigious event this week, but visa processing delays prevented his travel.

“This is more than just about me – it’s about silencing important African voices on international platforms,” Malema stated. “The British authorities had ample time to process my application for this important engagement with Africa’s future leaders.”

The British authorities have denied me a visa to London for the Cambridge Conference this weekend, providing no substantial justification. It is clear to me that this is an attempt to silence a dissenting political perspective. We are currently at the OR airport, as we were…

— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) May 7, 2025

The Cambridge Africa Together Conference brings together students, academics and policymakers from across the continent. Malema’s planned address was highly anticipated, with many young attendees hoping to hear his perspectives on African leadership and development.

British High Commission officials have not publicly commented on the specific reasons for the visa delay. Standard UK visa processing times for South Africans typically range from 15-30 working days, though priority services are available.

The incident has sparked debate on social media, with Malema’s supporters alleging political bias, while others question why alternative arrangements weren’t made given the conference’s importance. This marks the second high-profile visa issue for Malema, following a 2022 delay in receiving a US visa for a United Nations engagement.

Political analyst Lebogang Mokoena notes: “Whether bureaucratic or political, such visa obstacles for African leaders reinforce perceptions of unequal access to global platforms. The timing is particularly sensitive as UK-South Africa relations remain strained over various policy differences.”

The EFF has announced plans to formally protest the visa delay through diplomatic channels. Meanwhile, conference organizers have expressed disappointment but say they hope to host Malema at a future event.