Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has labelled North West mining businessman Solomon “MySol” Soka Madibela a “small boy” during a party rally at Letlhabile Stadium in Madibeng on Saturday.
Malema was addressing supporters ahead of the 4 November election when he launched a scathing attack on the businessman, warning that mining wealth should benefit local communities rather than a select few.
“When EFF takes over, these mines will service our people. These mines will not service MySol. MySol se foot, I repeat it, MySol se foot. You must tell him that he is a small boy to me,” Malema said.
The EFF leader insisted that he was not intimidated by people who used their wealth to exert influence, adding that Madibela should not underestimate him.
“I’m not scared of boys who go around flaunting money. I’m not scared of boys who think they have money,” he said.
Malema attacks MySol
Malema also called for greater access to mining opportunities, arguing that ordinary people should be able to participate in the sector without relying on family connections or intimidation.
“There’s no MySol who will enjoy mining money alone. All of you should get into mining. No one should enter through family connections or weapons in the mines. All of you should work at the mines,” he said.
He further warned against what he described as the use of money to intimidate communities in the North West, specifically mentioning Rustenburg and Madibeng.
“I don’t care about MySol’s money. He mustn’t insult us. We can’t be insulted by kids who think they have money. No one will terrorise Rustenburg, Madibeng, North West, in the name of money,” Malema said.
Madibela, who is known in the mining industry, attracted widespread attention earlier this month after appearing on the Podcast and Chill network.
Malema’s remarks place mining ownership and the distribution of mineral wealth back in the spotlight, with the EFF leader vowing that the party would prioritise communities if it came to power.