In recent discussions around South Africa's socio-economic issues, Julius Malema's comments shed light on a crucial yet often overlooked point—the real power lies not in controlling small spaza shops but in owning the strategic means of production like mines and minerals. From my own observations and discussions with locals in Johannesburg and Cape Town, tensions often arise around access to jobs and small businesses, particularly spaza shops run by immigrants from other African countries. However, these conflicts can distract from the larger issue of economic ownership. Malema’s emphasis on fighting for control of the mines, rather than focusing on immigrant competition in retail, calls attention to the significant economic disparities rooted in historical patterns of land and resource control. Many mines and financial institutions remain under European immigrant ownership, which perpetuates wealth inequality. These mines are a major source of national wealth, yet the benefits are not equitably shared among the wider South African population. It’s also important to note the social challenges described in Malema’s speeches—calls for unity are essential as infighting creates divisions that hinder meaningful progress. The struggle for ownership and control of economic resources must be approached thoughtfully to avoid xenophobia and other forms of discrimination that can arise from scapegoating immigrants for broader systemic issues. From personal experience attending public forums and community meetings around Johannesburg City Hall, I’ve seen that many South Africans feel frustrated about unemployment and poverty. Malema’s message encourages a shift in focus towards reclaiming economic power structures, which could foster more inclusive growth and national cohesion. Understanding the dynamics of economic control, social unity, and historical context is critical. Instead of fighting amongst ourselves for limited resources accessible at the spaza shop level, uniting to demand fairness and transformation in the ownership of mines and minerals might be a more impactful path forward for South Africa’s future.