ANC Youth League president Julius Malema, who had to explain his controversial declaration in which he cast white farmers as “criminals” during a meeting last week, may land in hot water again when a documentary due to be screened in cinemas next week shows the leader likening mining company owners to car thieves.
A new local documentary engineered to make a case for the nationalisation of the mining industry called Mining for Change: A Story of South African Mining, presents studio footage of Malema reiterating the idea that white business owners are thieves.
“They have stolen the minerals, they have stolen the land, they have stolen our mines, they want to control everything. They have stolen our freedom. Hence those who came before us stood up and demanded their right to vote that which was stolen. They have stolen everything. Now it is our time to demand that which has been stolen from us,” he observes in the documentary, which is directed by author and columnist Eric Miyeni and Navan Chetty.
The documentary was made last year and also features Cyril Ramaphosa, who says nationalisation of the mining industry could cost the government in excess of two trillion rand.
Malema responds by suggesting that mining companies needn’t be compensated.
“Why should I pay for what I own? This is mine. We are not going to buy what has been stolen from us. It’s like when a person steals my car and I report (it) to the police and they find this car in Soweto with new mag wheels and a leather seat and it’s now looking very nice and then I say this is my car. This man (the thief) has put lots of investment, the mag wheels and what-what, you have to pay him back before you get this car? Logically this is incorrect.
“The Freedom Charter does not say you must pay to transfer the mineral wealth of the country into the hands of the people.
“It says we shall transfer. Shall in the ANC means must.”
Malema did, however, concede that foreign companies could still be permitted a stake in the mining industry – as long as they provided the equipment.
“I am prepared to share that (mining rights) with you, it doesn’t matter whether you are in South Africa. You bring your machines and all the necessary equipment and extract the mineral, which I own. I am not coming there as a person who is just bringing a jacket. I am coming with something, precious minerals, and you are bringing equipment.”
Cinemagoers will be able to view Malema delivering his pronouncements on the mining industry when Mining for Change: A Story of South African Mining opens at the Encounters documentary film festival in Cape Town and Johburg on Thursday.
Malema has also been accused of driving white voters away from the ANC.
But yesterday at the KwaZulu-Natal ANCYL provincial general congress at the Durban City Hall, Malema rubbished the claims, Sapa reports.
“I never drove them away. They have never voted for us,” he said.
ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe conceded soon after the May 18 local government elections that there were communities which would be “switched off” by ANC leaders’ comments which “appeared racist”.
Malema said whites had not voted for Mandela even when he was involved in reconciliation.
The ANC also never won the ward where Mandela’s home was situated in Joburg.
The ward was predominantly white.
“They never voted for Mandela in 1994 and they never voted for Thabo Mbeki,” he said.
Malema said on Saturday there were people who had been funded by big corporates to remove youth league leaders who supported the nationalisation of mines.
Malema, who is reportedly seeking a second term as the youth league president, is the driving force behind a move to nationalise South African mines.
“They have gone to these people (big business) and said, fund us to remove these people who want to nationalise mines,” he said.
ANCYL members needed to be aware of people who were funded by big businesses because they undermined the struggle, he said.
According to media reports, Gauteng chairman Lebogang Maile will challenge Malema for the presidency at the congress. - Mary Corrigall