Cape Town, May 7, 2025 – Julius Malema, the outspoken leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, has been denied a UK visa to attend the Africa Together Conference at the University of Cambridge on May 10, 2025.
Malema, known for his fiery radical political stance, labeled the decision as an “attempt to silence a dissenting political perspective” and criticised the UK for lacking “substantial justification” for the refusal. The incident has sparked debates about freedom of expression, diplomatic relations, and the UK’s visa processing system, set against the backdrop of Malema’s political career.
According to a leaked letter from Antony Phillipson, the UK High Commissioner to South Africa, to EFF deputy Godrich Gardee, the UK Home Office was unable to process Malema’s visa application in time for his scheduled trip. The letter cited procedural delays and the timing of recent UK bank holidays, including one on May 5, 2025, as contributing factors.
Phillipson personally apologised, noting that despite the EFF delegation applying in advance and some members paying for priority service, the Home Office could not complete the necessary steps in time. He also confirmed that the application fee would be refunded.
Malema and the EFF, however, have rejected these explanations, alleging deliberate obstruction. In a post on X, the EFF claimed the UK High Commission “actively delayed the processing and approval” of Malema’s visa to prevent him from speaking at the Cambridge conference.
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Malema echoed this sentiment, stating on X that the delegation had been assured “everything would be sorted” but received a “regret letter just hours before our departure.” He called the decision “unacceptable and spineless,” accusing the UK of targeting him for his political views.
Malema, 44, is one of South Africa’s most polarising political figures. As the leader of the EFF, a Marxist-Leninist party founded in 2013, Malema has built a reputation as a fierce critic of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC), economic inequality, and “Western imperialism.”
The EFF, the third-largest party in South Africa’s parliament, advocates for radical policies, including the nationalisation of key industries and the expropriation of white-owned land without compensation to address historical injustices stemming from apartheid.
- Advocates for land reform: Malema’s calls for land redistribution have been divisive, resonating with many Black South Africans who remain economically marginalised decades after apartheid’s end, but alarming investors and white farmers.
- International stance: Malema frequently criticises Western nations, accusing them of perpetuating neocolonialism in Africa through economic dominance and political interference.
- Controversial rhetoric: His fiery speeches, including past statements perceived as inciting violence, have led to legal scrutiny and polarised public opinion.
Malema’s invitation to speak at the University of Cambridge’s Africa Together Conference, organised by the university’s African Society, was seen as an opportunity to share his perspectives on African self-determination and economic justice. His exclusion from the event has raised questions about whether the visa denial was politically motivated.
The visa refusal comes amid complex diplomatic and historical ties between South Africa and the UK. As a former British colony, South Africa maintains strong economic and cultural links with the UK, but tensions persist over issues like trade imbalances and historical reparations.
Visa processing for South Africans traveling to the UK has long been a point of contention, with complaints about lengthy delays, high costs, and opaque decision-making.
The EFF’s claim of deliberate sabotage reflects broader mistrust of Western institutions among some South Africans, particularly within Malema’s base.
The UK Home Office has not yet responded to requests for comment, Antony Phillipson’s letter remains the primary source of official explanation. The EFF has vowed to pursue legal recourse, though options are limited given the UK’s sovereign control over visa decisions. Malema has indicated he may address the conference virtually, ensuring his voice is not entirely silenced.
The incident underscores the intersection of politics, diplomacy, and free speech in an increasingly polarised global landscape. For Malema, it’s another chapter in his ongoing battle against what he sees as systemic efforts to marginalise African voices.
For the UK, it risks fuelling accusations of selective visa policies that disproportionately affect controversial figures from the Global South.
As South Africa approaches its next election cycle, the visa saga is likely to remain a rallying point for the EFF, while the UK faces scrutiny over its commitment to fostering open dialogue. Whether this marks a temporary setback or a broader chilling effect on dissenting voices remains to be seen.
