“Even if America decides that I should no longer enter America, it’s okay. I will enter Zimbabwe. I will enter Botswana, I will enter Nigeria, I will enter Africa, my home. Why should I be concerned about people who are going to feed me burgers, and make me fat when I can go to… pic.twitter.com/jx1ev9c8OJ
— TheCable (@thecableng) December 12, 2025
Julius Malema, leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters, has downplayed concerns about a possible U.S. visa ban, saying he would rather return to Africa and enjoy its delicacies than worry about American restrictions. Addressing supporters in Johannesburg, he said hostility from Washington was expected due to his criticism of U.S. policies on the continent.
He insisted no African leader should be intimidated by travel threats, declaring, “Even if America decides that I should no longer enter America, it’s okay. I will enter Zimbabwe. I will enter Botswana. I will enter Nigeria. I will enter Africa, my home.” He added, “Why should I be concerned about people who are going to feed me burgers and make me fat, when I can go to Nigeria and eat jollof rice with goat pepper soup? Nice food.”
Malema recalled receiving “nice jollof rice and pepper soup” during a visit to Enugu, saying the experience showed Africa’s richness. His comments come amid tensions between Washington and Pretoria, highlighted by a past moment when President Donald Trump publicly asked South Africa’s president, “Why didn’t you arrest that man?” over Malema’s controversial chant, prompting a response that South Africa protects freedom of expression.