Malema Reacts After Finding South Africans Running a Spaza Shop During Door-to-Door Campaign

EFF leader Julius Malema expressed his happiness after visiting a home during his door-to-door campaign and discovering that South Africans owned a spaza shop and were supporting their own business.

The moment came as Malema continued engaging with residents as part of the EFF’s campaign ahead of the 2026 local government elections. During the visit, he highlighted the importance of South Africans owning and operating businesses within their communities.

The encounter drew attention to the role of small businesses in creating economic opportunities and supporting households. Spaza shops, in particular, remain an important part of many neighbourhoods, providing residents with convenient access to everyday essentials while offering business owners a source of income.

Malema’s reaction also connects with broader discussions about local economic participation, entrepreneurship and the ability of South Africans to build sustainable businesses.

For many communities, small enterprises offer a path towards financial independence, although business owners often face challenges such as rising operating costs, competition and limited access to funding.

The EFF has regularly placed economic empowerment and the participation of South Africans in the local economy among its political priorities. The campaign visit provided an opportunity for Malema to engage directly with residents and highlight an example that aligned with that message.

Door-to-door campaigning allows political leaders to meet voters in their homes and communities, hear their concerns and communicate their parties’ priorities ahead of elections.

The 2026 local government election campaign is expected to place renewed attention on issues affecting everyday life, including employment, service delivery, business opportunities and the state of local economies.

Malema’s visit offered a brief but notable moment during the campaign, with the EFF leader making clear that he welcomed seeing South Africans owning and supporting their own spaza shop.

As campaigning continues, encounters like this are likely to form part of the wider political conversation about business ownership and economic opportunities at community level.

https://x.com/EFFSouthAfrica/status/2113282025037897987

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