A woman attending a Cape Chamber of Commerce debate challenged EFF leader Julius Malema over his statements about land saying he did not have authority over the issue.

"Mr Malema, you have no authority to talk about land.

"The Khoisan is the only authoritative voice which can talk about land," she said to loud applause and some cheers.

The woman said the Khoisan were the "first freedom fighters" who fought the colonials when they came here 360 years ago.

"We were the first people of this nation. We were the first people of southern Africa and we still face oppression."

She said the country's history did not start in 1910 when the ANC was formed.

"We lived here and you, your ancestors, and the white ancestors found us here. Only we can talk about land ownership."

Malema told the woman that he thought she was "extremely missing a point".

"Me and you are Africans and this land you are referring to and the whole of Africa was one thing until the colonialists came to divide us.

"So you must never see yourself as being something different from what I am."

He said she was "inviting self-isolation".

Malema said the black African majority and the Khoisan were one.

"I'm not from Europe, my ancestors are not from Europe. This Africa belongs to Africans and that's what the Khoisan are."

Malema was taking part in a debate with scenario planner Clem Sunter in Cape Town, a day after the State of the Nation address.

News24