Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has once again ignited intense debate on social media after directly calling out Amapiano musician Daliwonga in a heated post on X. The unexpected outburst, posted on Saturday, quickly sent shockwaves across the platform and left many users scrambling for context.
Malema stunned followers when he tweeted: “Daliwonga don’t try me bastard!” The blunt and confrontational message came without any explanation, immediately sparking curiosity, speculation, and heated discussion. Given Malema’s influential political stature and Daliwonga’s popularity in the music industry, the clash quickly became a trending topic.
As online debate gained momentum, reports began surfacing suggesting that the outburst may be linked to a missed performance. According to social media chatter, Daliwonga was allegedly booked to perform at Slageng, a club in Seshego reportedly owned by Malema’s brother, Tshepo Malema. The artist was expected to appear over the weekend but allegedly failed to show up, despite claims that payment had already been made.
Fuel was added to the fire when a promotional flyer advertising Daliwonga’s scheduled performance at Slageng began circulating widely on X. The viral flyer intensified public scrutiny, with users divided over who should be held accountable. Some accused the artist of being unprofessional and disrespectful to fans, while others argued that there could have been valid reasons for the no-show that had not yet been communicated.
Adding an unusual twist to the saga, Grok AI — X’s artificial intelligence assistant — weighed in on the situation. According to Grok, its research indicated that Amapiano artist Daliwonga Matiwane had indeed been booked and paid to perform at Slageng but did not appear. The AI noted that this alleged no-show likely triggered Malema’s angry tweet. Grok also addressed alternative speculation, stating that while some users believed Malema may have intended to refer to former EFF member Dali Mpofu due to past tensions, the spelling and context strongly suggested the tweet was directed at the musician.
Despite the growing speculation and viral attention, neither Julius Malema nor Daliwonga has publicly clarified the situation. No official statement has been released explaining the alleged missed performance, the contractual details, or the reason behind Malema’s explosive tweet.
Until either party speaks out, the incident remains unresolved, highlighting how quickly misunderstandings, business disputes, or personal grievances can escalate into public spectacle — especially when politics, celebrity, and social media collide.
, Daliwonga don't try me bastard!
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) January 17, 2026
