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ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema. Photo: Chris Collingridge
The ANC Youth League's two-day march for economic freedom ended peacefully at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Friday.
“We are not fighting government, we want more. We want job creation to be doubled,” ANCYL president Julius Malema told reporters at the conclusion of the march.
“You cannot compare our government to the government of Egypt and Tunisia. If you march it doesn't mean you don't love the ANC.”
Over the two days, the marchers handed over memorandums to the Chamber of Mines in the Johannesburg CBD, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in Sandton, and to government at the Union Buildings.
The demands centred on the economy, poverty and high youth unemployment.
Estimates of how many people joined the two-day march that began in the Johannesburg CBD on Thursday ranged from 2000 to 10,000.
“People say the numbers are too small,” said Malema, wearing a yellow ANC-branded t-shirt bearing the image of former president Nelson Mandela.
“Those people who say that can't even organise 20 people for a birthday. Thank you all. Numbers stand at 25,000 people.”
Chaos erupted in the last mass action by ANCYL members outside Luthuli House in central Johannesburg at the start of Malema's disciplinary hearing last month.
Youth league members threw rocks, bottles and bricks at journalists and police, and burnt ANC flags and t-shirts with pictures of President Jacob Zuma printed on them.
In contrast, the two-day economic march went off without any reported incidents.
Tshwane Metro Police said they were satisfied.
“Only two cases of minor exhaustion were reported and the people received treatment from the Tshwane emergency services and were later fine,” said spokesman Console Tleane.
Malema kept tight control of marchers over the two days, admonishing them when fights broke out over cooldrink and urging schoolchildren not to join, but to get back to school.
At the conclusion of the march, he told the crowd: “Yesterday was OR Tambo's birthday, the longest serving president of the ANC. In his spirit, let's leave peacefully.”
The weary crowd quietly dispersed, encouraged by the turning on of the sprinklers on the Union Buildings' littered lawn.
The march started a day after testimony in Malema's disciplinary hearing was concluded.
He and several co-leaders face charges of bringing the ruling party into disrepute.
The march covered around 80km, of which Malema said he walked 35km.
Newly-appointed Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi accepted the document handed over in Pretoria and promised to take it to the “relevant structures” of government for a response in due course.
Some sang “Kgalema's my president”, referring to Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.
Placards carried read: “Black on black apartheid”, “greed-based corruption” and “yes we don't want Zuma and Gwede”, referring to President Jacob Zuma and ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe.
Others read: “90 percent of the economy is still in the hands of the minority” and “Malema we must stand by you through thick and thin”.
On Thursday, Chamber of Mines CEO Bheki Sibiya received the ANCYL memorandum and undertook to distribute it to the chamber's 55 members.
“We understand that the level of unemployment is too high and we agree with the youth league that the level of poverty is too high,” he said.
The league wanted the nationalisation of mines and the introduction of probation programmes within companies to give youth skills in mining.
When the group reached the JSE, Malema chanted: “Down with white capital monopoly. The people who are stealing our wealth must come on stage.”
An official from the JSE received the memorandum from Malema, saying only: “Thank you for the opportunity. We will take your demands to the executive.”
Among the league's demands to government, was a call to amend section 25 of the Constitution which protects private property against arbitrary expropriation and allows for compensation.
The league's memorandum said all productive land should be nationalised and leased, and neighbourhoods electrified.
Labour brokers must be banned and all vacant government posts be filled.
A state bank must be established and foreign policy must be changed to isolate countries that threaten South Africa's sovereignty.
A fund must be established to send 10,000 students to the best universities. - Sapa
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The Forum, wrote
If I were Black I would fight harder than Malema.
Tseka, wrote
I salute you Malema you have what it takes rather some who just think for themselves you proved most wrong viva my man viva
Sipho, wrote
Life is full of paradoxes but the ones I came to enjoy are; our labour laws are driving away investment, we can't run the mines, protests drive investors away-leading to job losses. For one; no sane investor will give hisher money if you are known to abuse your Human Capital, labour laws improve the image of the Nation. For two; government has run Eskom, SAA, Transnet, and other world class companies profitably, resulting to world class innnovations. Mining contributes positively towards the trade balance, therefore it is a 'National Heritage' and should be treated as such. For three; Warlmart, that great retailer, with its great intelligence has decided to part with some of its money in our favour. Did they miss a thing in their analyisis? I bet they have done their due diligence and aware that our labour laws, political climate and Malema; make us what we are, a great Nation.
mhlobo, wrote
Hola there, sometimes we need to be realistic. We dont have to always criticise, I think Malema has just did a good thing, thumbs up ma brother!!!!!
Zola, wrote
Julius, a job well done. Your troops had the most oustanding discipline that one expects from ANC members. You and your team you deserve our respects for this. Yes, there will be people saying all sorts of nusty things about this march, but nonetheless, you did what you set out to do and succeeded. You and your troops must enjoy your weekend and make sure that you rest. No parties this weekend. You hand a LONG WALK and you need to rest.
Anonymous, wrote
I hope malema's feet are covered in blisters...!
Informant, wrote
I applaud all those who stand for economic freedom! It is a great idea...but the language used to promote the idea is sad. It focuses on race and ethnicity which is detrimental and prevents other race groups to support the drive for better economic governance.
cs, wrote
Oi Fat Boy - you don't even have a job - or understand what it means to put in a hard days work - you clearly don't understand that money does not grow on trees - but you sure know how to demand ( I want - I Want) explain to me how you have contributed to creating one single job - God help us if you are the future !!
Anonymous, wrote
Thank God no blood was spilled
Ramakola wa ga Makwela, wrote
Experience is the best teacher. Again, let me take this opportunity to salute the ANCYL and all the supporting members who attended the two day Economic March and say "You did your organisation proud". Furthermore, a big thank you goes to the SAPS, the JMPD, the Tshwane Metro Police, the EMS and all other stakeholders that made sure that the two day Economic March went smoothly without any incidents. My cry is, "South Africa, let us build this country together. Let there be no one who have a mind that he is the only one entitled to a better life". God Bless South Africa!!!!!
Anonymous, wrote
very commendable but first we must stop the "stealing" or misappropriation of our taxes
Odz, wrote
"Those people who say that can't even organise 20 people for a birthday", LOL.
Ali, wrote
While successful it sounds like a damp squib with no clear wayforward or what happens if "those charged with responsibility to provide jobs etc to the youth.."do nothing and what are the time frames here? It must have been awkward for the fellow who had to receive the memorandum after being told, "the people who are stealing our wealth must come on stage.."! EVEn CoM CEO Bheki Sibiya's say that they will had it to the 55 members of the Chamber, sounds very feeble and non-committal! But what happened to diplomacy, how do you insult a person and expect good return from them? YL lack tact and foresight, it is public knowledge that they no longer going to die or kill for Zuma, but do they really need to have this on placards: "Yes, we don't want Zuma and Gwede.." - can't this be used by the NDC to stress their point that YL is sowing divisions within ANC and slap them with heavy sentences includikng expulsion - my fear is that ANC has acted on very popular individuals before the likes of General Holomisa and Sfiso Nkabinde (KZN)! Malema's tactics are so thin, now referring to OR Tambo and t-shirt bearing Mandelas head - this is his way of demonising the current leadership? Time will tell!
Sean Hammon, wrote
Your point is taken when you don't resort to threats and savagery and social irresponsible behaviour.
Anonymous, wrote
And other demands of the youth league include tinkerbell Wednesday parties and the Toothfairy Rugby League. Come on, get real... they're basically talking about making the "Republic of South Africa", into the "Communist Union of South Africa". If you can't see that then you need your brain checked.
kimk, wrote
hope the 10 000 students who will be funded passed wood work.
Anonymous, wrote
As Bala and Peru would say - Nice like that.
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