On Human Rights Day, March 21, 2025, Julius Malema, leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), once again took to the stage and loudly chanted “Kill the Boer, kill the farmer.” This hateful rhetoric was not an isolated incident—it was accompanied by yet another farm murder near Thaba Nchu in the Free State.
This pattern of violence and denial is not new. In 2023, a couple in KwaZulu-Natal was brutally attacked on their farm, with the assailants shouting the same slogan. The woman was stabbed with a spear but survived, thanks to the swift response of the local farming community. Six suspects were arrested, but what followed was even more disturbing: denial.
Denialism and Moral Decay
Before the victims’ blood had even dried, some rushed to dismiss their suffering, labeling them as liars. This phenomenon—farm murder denialism—has resurfaced in recent months, particularly after the Trump administration brought renewed attention to the issue.
But why are farm murders treated differently from other violent crimes?
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Victim-Blaming: When farmers are attacked, some immediately question their credibility rather than condemning the violence.
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Mockery in Media: Richard Poplak of the Daily Maverick once joked on social media, asking what wine pairs best with “white genocide.”
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Political Incitement: Leaders like Malema chant violent slogans, and even the president refuses to condemn them. When pressed in 2025, President Ramaphosa’s spokesperson coldly stated he would not denounce “Kill the Boer.”
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Double Standards: No one dismisses anti-rhino poaching efforts by saying rhinos make up a small percentage of animal deaths. No one tells gender-based violence activists that their cause is invalid because more men are murdered. Yet, when it comes to farm murders, critics rush to cite general crime statistics to silence the issue.
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Government Inaction: Farm attacks are not classified as a national priority crime, unlike gang violence or rhino poaching. This lack of specialized policing leaves farmers vulnerable.
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Presidential Denial: In 2018, President Ramaphosa declared on an international stage: “There are no murders of white farmers in South Africa.” This lie was never retracted.
Why Does This Happen?
The only explanation is moral decay—a societal rot where hatred and indifference are excused. Afrikaners, whether farmers or not, have deep ties to the land. As writer Turk Arman noted, “Many may not live on farms, but there is a piece of farm in every Afrikaner.” The term “boer” (farmer) is woven into Afrikaner identity, making attacks on farmers feel like attacks on the culture itself.
A Call for Justice and Humanity
Organizations like AfriForum continue to fight for justice despite hostility. But the battle is not just about statistics—it’s about humanity. When leaders incite violence, when media mocks victims, and when the government turns a blind eye, society descends into moral bankruptcy.
As the video’s narrator poignantly states: “Today my Afrikaner heart bleeds once again for our farmers. I pray for their safety. But I also pray for those who have become so cold and heartless—that God will restore their broken moral compasses.”
The fight is far from over. The question remains: How long will South Africa tolerate this moral decay before it demands change?
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