A war of words has erupted between EFF leader Julius Malema and North West mining businessman Solomon “MySol” Madibela, just days before South Africans head to the polls.
Malema targeted MySol at the party’s Tshela Thupa Rally at Letlhabile Stadium on 24 October 2026, a week before the 4 November local government elections. Speaking to supporters outside Brits, he labelled the mining tycoon a “small boy” and said local mines should serve the community rather than enrich one businessman. He reportedly told the crowd to relay the message that he’s a small boy to him, and the remark drew a strong response from supporters.
It wasn’t the first time Malema has gone after the businessman. He had previously questioned the source of MySol’s wealth. The rally comments followed MySol’s earlier claim that a party president turned on him after he declined an invitation to a gala dinner.
MySol appears to have answered on social media. Screenshots of WhatsApp statuses allegedly posted by him circulated online, reportedly calling Malema a “small boy” in return, mocking his appearance and telling him to eat pap and milk. The authenticity of the screenshots has not been independently confirmed, and MySol has not issued a formal statement in the reports reviewed.
The row has also drawn in the ANC. Secretary-general Fikile Mbalula defended MySol at a party rally, calling him a “solid entrepreneur.” He also joked about asking MySol to lend him a luxury car for a weekend.
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Some observers have linked the clash to politics. They speculate that MySol’s decision not to donate to the EFF may have motivated the attack, framing it as tension between the party’s economic freedom rhetoric and independent black business owners operating outside political patronage networks. These claims are speculation, and neither Malema nor the EFF has confirmed them.
Social media has been divided, with some users defending MySol’s success and others backing Malema’s call for communities to benefit from mining.
With the local elections days away, the exchange is likely to stay in the spotlight.
