You can say many things about the politics of Julius Malema, but his consistent rejection of violent xenophobia and Afrophobia in South Africa, even at a time when this violence is popular will always make him stand out, among politicians who overwhelmingly choose populism over real solutions.
South Africa has legitimate problems with migration, being disproportionately burdened with people, mostly other Africans fleeing their dysfunctional and sometimes war torn countries in search of a better life. No one can deny this. South Africa bears a burden of failure in countries like Nigeria, Malawi, Zimbabwe, DRC etc. But South African politicians have also failed their citizens while enriching themselves and their cronies, leading to widespread frustration which citizens then blame on immigrants.
In all, this is a failure of politics and governance across the continent and in South Africa. Unfortunately those bearing the brunt of this are not the corrupt politicians who cause these problems but the victims of the criminals who govern African states. So yes it means a lot that politicians like Malema remain clearheaded about this even when people allow their emotions blind them to rational thinking.