Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has expressed frustration after British authorities denied him a visa to attend the Cambridge Conference in the United Kingdom this weekend, just hours before his scheduled departure.
Malema, who was waiting at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday, revealed on social media that he received a “regret letter” from UK authorities providing “no substantial justification” for the visa rejection.
“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,” he said.
Malema added that he had been assured by officials that the visa issue would be resolved by 3:30pm, only to face disappointment at the final hour. He denounced the decision as “unacceptable and spineless,” suggesting it was part of a broader pattern of suppressing challenging political voices.
Meanwhile, AfriForum, a group representing Afrikaner interests, has claimed the visa denial as a victory in its campaign against Malema. The organization recently launched an international effort calling for sanctions against the EFF leader over his controversial performance of the struggle song that includes the phrase “Kill the Boer.”
AfriForum’s CEO Kallie Kriel said the group has been actively requesting that governments worldwide impose “punitive actions against Julius Malema and those guilty of human rights violations” through diplomatic channels, and is preparing a dossier documenting alleged human rights abuses.
The dispute stems from a long-running legal battle over the anti-apartheid chant, which the Constitutional Court recently ruled does not constitute hate speech, dismissing AfriForum’s application for leave to appeal previous court rulings on the matter.
The controversy has gained international attention in recent weeks, with billionaire Elon Musk and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemning Malema’s performances of the song, while protesters in South Africa have marched to the US Embassy calling for action against the EFF leader.
The Cambridge Conference, where Malema was scheduled to speak, is one of several academic and political forums held regularly at the prestigious British university. While specific details about this weekend’s event are limited, Cambridge conferences typically focus on political discourse and discussions of pressing global issues.
This is not the first time Malema has sought to address audiences in the UK. In 2015, he spoke at both the Oxford Union and Chatham House during a tour that generated significant attention, particularly after comments he made criticizing Nelson Mandela’s legacy.
The visa rejection comes months after Botswana lifted its travel ban against Malema ahead of President Duma Boko’s inauguration in November 2024. Malema had been barred from entering Botswana since 2011 after making derogatory comments about former President Ian Khama’s government, calling it a “puppet regime” and threatening a possible coup.
At the time of publication, the British High Commission had not responded to requests for comment on the specific reasons for the visa denial.
