Ramaphosa’s Contradictory Stance on ‘Kill the Boer’ in Trump Meeting

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa faces criticism for allegedly misleading U.S. President Donald Trump during a White House meeting on May 21, 2025.

President Trump played a video of opposition leader Julius Malema chanting “Kill the Boer,” questioning why Malema faced no legal consequences.

Ramaphosa condemned the rhetoric, claiming his government and the African National Congress (ANC) “completely opposed” such language.

However, a 2018 clip resurfaced showing Ramaphosa inviting Malema and his Economic Freedom Fighters back to the ANC, despite their use of the song since 2010.

Critics argued that Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen failed to challenge Ramaphosa’s claims, instead endorsing the government’s stance.

The meeting, intended to strengthen U.S.-South Africa ties, instead exposed tensions over farm murders, land reform, and anti-white hate speech.

Many Afrikaners and white minorities, citing 142 race-based laws, argued President Trump should have pressed Ramaphosa harder, especially since a lower South African court, including the 2024 Supreme Court of Appeal, ruled the chant does not constitute hate speech, undermining his condemnation.