EFF leader Julius Malema has drawn criticism for singing the controversial struggle song “Kill The Boer” during a mass funeral for 10 party members who died in a bus crash last week.
The victims—EFF supporters—were returning from a June 16 rally in Durban when their bus collided head-on with a truck near Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal. The funeral, held in Vryheid and attended by Malema and other EFF leaders, was branded the “June 16 Battalion” in honor of the deceased.
Addressing mourners, Malema praised the victims, saying, *”They died while in pursuit of life. They traveled with hope in their hearts, but their journey ended in tragedy.”* He also pledged to build houses for the families of the deceased.
However, his decision to close the event by singing “Kill The Boer”—a song with a contentious history linked to anti-apartheid resistance—sparked outrage. Critics, including high-profile figures like former US President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, condemned the move as inflammatory. Many South Africans on social media also questioned the appropriateness of the song at a funeral.
The EFF has long defended the song as part of South Africa’s liberation heritage, but opponents argue it incites violence. The backlash highlights ongoing tensions over political rhetoric and historical symbolism in the country.
Malema has yet to respond to the criticism, but the incident has reignited debate over freedom of expression, reconciliation, and the role of struggle songs in modern South Africa.