EFF leader Julius Malema has taken a firmer stance on local job prioritization, urging Zimbabwean nationals to seek employment in their own cities, such as Harare, rather than relying on work opportunities in South Africa.
Speaking at the EFF’s Siyabonga Rally in Seshego on August 16, Malema stressed that municipal jobs and tenders should benefit South Africans first, especially in light of the country’s staggering 66.5% youth unemployment rate.
“We are not saying Zimbabweans should not be given jobs, but they must get jobs from their own municipalities,” he said, drawing a clear line between African solidarity and local economic priorities.
The remarks mark a noticeable shift from Malema’s 2022 position, when he defended the employment of foreign nationals — including Zimbabweans — by South African businesses, while still advocating preferential treatment for locals.
Now, with unemployment and public frustration reaching boiling point, Malema’s latest message taps into growing calls for local-first economic policies — even as regional migration and pan-African unity remain sensitive topics.
His comments are likely to ignite both support and criticism, as the balancing act between national interests and continental solidarity continues to play out on South Africa’s political stage.
