Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has called for the removal of visa requirements between South Africa and Nigeria, saying the two countries should strengthen ties through unity and collaboration.
Speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference in Enugu, Malema declared, “We actually do not need a visa between South Africa and Nigeria… we are one.” His remarks came as part of a broader call for African countries to deepen integration through open borders, joint industries, and coordinated trade policies.
Malema condemned xenophobia, describing it as “a betrayal of African unity.” He rejected the view that Nigerians and other African migrants are responsible for South Africa’s social and economic difficulties. Instead, he pointed to systemic inequality and historic patterns of economic domination as the root causes of the country’s struggles.
“Blaming fellow Africans for South Africa’s problems is misleading,” Malema told delegates. “The real issues lie in structural inequality and the legacies of economic exclusion.”
He reminded the audience of the longstanding solidarity between the two nations, noting Nigeria’s support for South Africa during the apartheid era. Nigeria was one of the leading African countries to provide financial, diplomatic, and political backing for the liberation struggle. Malema argued that such sacrifices should serve as a foundation for stronger economic and political partnerships today.
“The relationship between South Africa and Nigeria was built in blood and sacrifice,” he said. “That history must now inform our economic collaboration and continental integration.”
The EFF leader also drew attention to cultural and economic exchanges already in place between the two countries. From Nigerian investments in South Africa to the widespread influence of Nigerian music and film, Malema said these interactions highlight the natural bonds that exist between the two societies.
According to him, xenophobic attitudes risk undermining this shared potential. “When we reject one another, we are destroying Africa’s own possibilities,” he said. Malema concluded by urging African states to embrace visa-free travel as a practical step toward unity and prosperity across the continent.
The Nigerian Bar Association, which hosted the event, has yet to issue an official response to Malema’s proposals, but his remarks drew wide attention among delegates. Observers noted that the call aligns with the African Union’s broader vision of free movement and economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
