Gayton McKenzie’s Crocodile Encounter: A Lesson on Borders and Foreigners
In a recent statement on SABC News, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema used a striking example to illustrate his views on immigration in South Africa: the near-miss of Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie with crocodiles while patrolling the Limpopo River.
Malema argued that McKenzie’s actions in attempting to deter Zimbabweans from crossing into South Africa showcased the absurdity of the notion of borders. “Gayton was running around the river, chasing Zimbabweans, and almost got eaten by crocodiles,” Malema said, emphasizing that this incident underscored his point that the idea of strict borders in South Africa is largely illusory.
Malema criticized the notion of open borders as unrealistic, suggesting that South Africans must recognize that many foreigners are already integrated into the country. He articulated that rather than deporting undocumented individuals, the focus should be on documenting them. “The EFF does not support undocumented people, but we must face the reality that they are here,” he stated.
The EFF leader posited that the argument claiming foreigners take jobs from South Africans is misguided. Many of the jobs filled by foreigners are those that South Africans often refuse to take, such as manual labor roles. Malema argued that without these workers, crucial services in the country could collapse, illustrating that South Africa relies on the very people it often seeks to exclude.
Malema’s comments also highlight the inefficiencies of current immigration practices, suggesting that resources spent on deportation could be better used to support local communities. “These people come back repeatedly; we need to document them instead,” he said.
In summary, Malema’s remarks—and McKenzie’s perilous river patrol—serve as a lens through which to examine the complexities of immigration in South Africa, pushing for a more pragmatic and humane approach to the challenges posed by foreign nationals.