Carl Niehaus Defends Participation in Singing Shoot the Boer Song During EFF Rally, SA Divided

• Carl Niehaus has been earning a lot of criticism online for singing the Shoot the Boer struggle song
• The Economic Freedom Fighters member defended his actions, saying that he would continue to sing it
• South Africans were divided by Niehaus' actions, with some accusing him of selling out

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent ten years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism

GAUTENG - Carl Niehaus has found himself at the centre of controversy online for his participation in singing the struggle song ‘Dubula ibhunu’.

The Member of the National Assembly for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) was part of the party supporters at the Sharpeville Commemoration Rally at Dlomo Dam on 21 March 2025.

The party earned criticism at the celebrations after a video surfaced of members singing the Shoot the Boer, Niehaus included.

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Niehaus defends singing anti-apartheid chant

According to The South African, Niehaus stated that received a lot of backlash for his participation in the struggle song. He explained that he was facing vicious attacks in both mainstream and social media for singing along to the song led by Julius Malema at the rally.

“I suppose these ill-conceived attacks now target me because my skin happens to be white. The attackers seek to vilify me for honouring a cornerstone of our revolutionary history, but I stand resolute and unshaken. I am totally unfazed.”

Niehaus says the song is a part of country’s struggle for liberation

The Red Berets member added that the song wasn’t just words, but a sacred anthem that was part of the liberation struggle.

“It embodies an unapologetic truth, that our freedom from racist oppression was won through unrelenting resistance,” Niehaus said.

He vowed that he would continue participating in singing the struggle anthem despite the negative response he received.

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It's not the first time Niehaus has been the subject of negative attention online either. On 19 December 2024, he admitted he received death threats over his loyalty to the EFF.

In October 2024 he also earned criticism after sharing a post on X in which he wished his wife for her birthday. Social media users roasted Niehaus because of the age gap between the two.

South Africans divided by Niehaus

South Africans were divided by the EFF member's actions, with some supporting it and others criticising it.

Lizanda von Berg said:

"Carl the big mistake you make is to think that Malema and his cadres respect you. They don't. You will be the first one that they will discard. You are a disgrace."

Paul Faku added:

"This one will do anything for his stomach."

Ben Collinet stated:

"Just as evil as his boss in red."

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Adriaan Lamprecht exclaimed:

"Shame, we all know that ou Kareltjie is not really with us. Let him be."

Busisiwe Lumata stated:

"He understands that the song actually means kill the Apartheid system and not necessarily a bore."

Sipho Mzu Mara asked:

"Who even takes Carl Niehaus seriously? Come on guys, forget about this one."

Cawi Beeff Shata stated:

"Well done Carl. Let them die of chest pains."

Ndips Jwarha Mazaleni said:

"Yet South Africans have called this guy all sorts of names just because all his life he stood with the marginalized. There is nothing they will ever do to him, he is living way better."

Mallambana said:

"Carl Niehaus is a patriotic man a man of decorum. Everybody, please respect him. He is fighting for this country, for all races. He didn't have to do it, but he left his luxurious house to fight. We the people in parliament, we owe him a thank you.

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Malema sings Kill the Boer song in Sharpeville

Briefly News reported that Malema caused a ruckus on social media when he sang the Kill the Boer song.

Malema sang the struggle song at a rally commemorating Human Rights Day and the Sharpeville massacre on 22 March.

Many South Africans were divided over his actions, especially after he was cleared of hate speech for singing it previously.

Source: Briefly News