On Sunday evening, Economic Freedom Fighter Julius Malema leader tweeted that the Springboks should be given a new name, colour, and emblem that represents the country’s democracy. The tweets sparked instant outrage across South Africa as many blasted him for trying to “fix something that isn’t broken.” And now Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie has also weighed in on the matter.

 

 

His post garnered mixed reactions from social media users who either joined him in slamming Malema, who called him out for not “supporting apartheid”.EFF leader Julius Malema is currently trending on X over his rather controversial views about the Springboks who have been parading around SA with their recently acquired Rugby World Cup trophy.

Malema, who was previously blasted for calling rugby a “white man’s sport”, argues that the Springboks should have new colours, a new emblem and even a new nameHis tweets have sparked a fierce debate on X where PA leader Gayton McKenzie also shared his thoughts.

“We love the Springboks, we have moved on from any bad or racist connotation associated with it. This is not the time to listen to fools like Malema, let’s celebrate our boys for a hard won victory. The Springbok name is going nowhere finish and klaar,” wrote McKenzie in a tweet.While some agreed with Malema, an equal amount decided to support Gayton McKenzie and his thoughts.

“Springbok is an animal endemic to South Africa. It doesn’t matter whether it was a symbol of apartheid or not. We can never hate springbok as a symbol of our national pride simply because Malema tells us to hate it. It has been here in South Africa long before colonisation.” one person said while another wrote:

“Malema is right on this one, it’s no wonder why the Rugby Union discriminates against non-white athletes who’re just as good from being selected on the national team.”