/472/ Munich, MAGA, Musk, Malema ft. Will Shoki / Ryan Zickgraf
Feb 27, 2025
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In this discussion, Will Shoki, the editor at Africa Is A Country, delves into the impact of Elon Musk's upbringing in apartheid-era South Africa and its relevance to today's politics. He explores the growing global radical right's interest in South Africa's land reform debates and the complexities of race and privilege that shape these conversations. Shoki also critiques the political landscape, highlighting challenges within the ANC and the rise of populism, while shedding light on why international figures like Trump are focused on South African issues.
Elon Musk's privileged upbringing during apartheid has influenced his identity and public image, raising questions about his representation of South African issues.
The rise of the Economic Freedom Fighters illustrates the complexities of South African politics, where radical rhetoric often overshadows key economic and class challenges.
Deep dives
Elon Musk's South African Roots
Elon Musk's upbringing in South Africa is deeply intertwined with the country's apartheid history, significantly shaping his identity and public persona. Born in Pretoria, he was raised in a wealthy family benefitting from the mining industry, which flourished under the apartheid system that favored white South Africans. His early experiences of bullying in school coupled with his family's socio-political affiliations have drawn criticism and embarrassment from many South Africans, who see him as a poor representative of their nation. The complexities of his formative years raise questions about the influence of his South African background on his attitudes and actions in the global political arena today.
South Africa as a Symbol in Global Culture Wars
In recent years, South Africa has emerged as a focal point for right-wing discourse surrounding issues of race, land reform, and political ideologies. This shift gained traction with Donald Trump's executive order targeting South Africa's policies regarding land and race-based governance, which framed the country as a victim of racial discrimination against whites. The resurgence of discussions relating to white victimhood has been buoyed by far-right organizations that have linked South African land policies to perceived anti-white sentiments, which informs a broader narrative about global political decay. The ongoing conflicts in South Africa symbolize larger ideological battles that transcend national borders, resonating within the cultural wars in the U.S. and beyond.
Political Dynamics and Malema's Role
Julius Malema and his party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), embody a provocative and performative approach to South African politics, positioning themselves as advocates for radical change and redistribution. However, despite the party's rhetoric against racial inequality and calls for nationalization, Malema's leadership has been criticized for cultivating a personal power rather than fostering grassroots organization and action. The EFF's emphasis on inflammatory statements and racially charged sentiment often overshadows substantive policy discussions, reinforcing adversarial relations among different racial groups. This environment results in a political landscape dominated by spectacle and ideology rather than addressing pressing economic issues faced by many South Africans.
Class Struggle Over Racial Narrative
The failure of land reform and broader economic policies in post-apartheid South Africa has been compounded by an overemphasis on racial identity politics, obscuring underlying class struggles. The governing African National Congress (ANC) has historically aimed to build a black bourgeoisie, but this approach has left the majority of South Africans in precarious conditions, fueling persistent inequality and poverty. Critics argue that the current political narrative ignores class conflicts and that real solutions will only come through organizing a labor movement that truly represents working-class interests, not just racial identities. As the political scene fractures, it becomes increasingly likely that populist movements may rise, potentially exacerbating existing tensions and diverting attention from the need for genuine socio-economic reform.
On Trumpworld: Vance in Munich; Musk in South Africa.
[This contains only the interview on South Africa – for the full episode subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast]
Alex, George and Ryan Zickgraf round up events in Germany: first the elections, then US Vice-President JD Vance's speech to the Munich Security Conference where he called out Western elites' hypocrisy on liberalism and democracy.
Then Alex speaks to Will Shoki, editor at Africa Is A Country, about what Musk wants from South Africa, why the global radical right has fixated on land reform in South Africa, and what is really at stake for South Africans.
We round out by taking your questions and comments – and by welcoming in carnival by discussing drinking & socialising, and its anti-social enemies.