Vibrant South African Opposition Leader, Julius Malema, Gives Trump A Taste of His Own Medicine

Julius Malema has for long been clear that he is not scared of Donald Trump. In 2018, he boldly declared, "We must put it on record that Donald "Pathological Liar" Trump, we are not scared of you and your U.S.A. or Western imperialist forces. We are not the generation that is going to kneel at the statues of Western imperialism and accept to live in the indignity of black landlessness." It was a clear statement: this generation will not suffer bullies gladly. It will fight back. And Julius Malema has been relentless.  

On Saturday, the 2nd of February, the firebrand leader unveiled an ambitious manifesto with all the markings of the lofty dreams all Africans should dare to harbor. What was even more impressive, however, was the clarity of thought exhibited by Malema. He is a man who knows who his friends are and even more so, his enemies. He took aim at Donald Trump, declaring, "In the diaspora, those people (Africans) are suffering. They are harassing them. They've got no rights. In America, it's even worse. That Donald Trump hates Africans." 

It is not difficult to believe Malema. It is the same Trump who allegedly called Nigerians "hut-dwellers" and African countries "shitholes". Trump has also proved to have no respect for the black man's intellectual capacity (whether African or African American). According to Peter Wehnerv, a veteran of three Republican administrations, "Trump’s made the same criticism of black athletes, black journalists and black Members of Congress. He attacks their intelligence. His racist appeals aren’t even disguised anymore." 

The American President is said to have attacked American Congresswoman, Maxine Waters' intelligence at least seven times, repeating that she had a low I.Q. No prizes for guessing that Maxine Waters is black and female - two qualities Trump has over the years proved to have little respect for. 

That Malema said Trump hates Africa is not politicking but a clear message to the American President: This new generation is onto you! No amount of politically correct photographs of Melania Trump feeding elephants can distract the continent from seeing the true elephant in the room: Donald Trump does not care for Africa. And maybe he does not have to! However, it is clear this is the combative, no holds barred, bellicose politics that Trump has employed against his opponents, either real or perceived now being used against him. Malema is bringing that same intensity to shame and expose the double-faced West.