Independent Newspaper Limited
ANCYL President Julius Malema. Picture: Masi Losi
Michelle Pietersen
Political Bureau
EMBATTLED Youth League leader Julius Malema is prepared for anything – including going to go to jail should it come to that – as the league’s battle to unseat the current ANC leadership heats up.
Yesterday, he addressed the ANCYL’s lekgotla in Pretoria, telling the delegates that this could well be the last time he addresses them as youth league leader, urging them to keep pushing for the nationalising of the mines and redistributing the land and for regime change in the ruling party.
Malema said he was aware that some senior ANC leaders were prepared to do everything in their power to get rid of him so that they could be re-elected, at the ANC’s crucial elective conference in Mangaung in Decembers.
He urged the so-called young lions to remain focused, even in his absence.
“We should fight on tirelessly. We must refuse to sell out the interest of the black majority to the representatives of white monopoly capital in the ANC,” he said.
Hours later, the deputy president of both the ANC and the country, Kgalema Motlanthe took to the podium to publicly express his views for the first time.
He urged the youth league to take their plight up with the ANC leaders, in a veiled criticism of the mother body – but warned them to do so in a discplined way in the spirit of both the league and the ANC.
“(There) are strong grounds of accusing the ANC of failing the Youth League,” said Motlanthe to applause from delegates at the ANC youth league’s Lekgotla yesterday.
He told youth league delegates to go to “your mother (ANC and say) we adopted and resolved… and here they are and wait for an opportunity to discuss them”. But delegates responded by saying that they had submitted their conference resolutions to the ANC to which Motlathe responded: “If that’s the case, then say it to ANC directly”.
Motlanthe’s reception yesterday was in stark contrast to the frosty reception given to Mantashe who arrived just after delegates had been singing for former ANC youth league leader, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula to replace him at the all important ANC elective conference in Mangaung in December this year.
The league wants Mothlanthe to replace Zuma at the party’s elective conference in Mangaung in December.
Malema, the youth league leaders and the delegates leapt to their feet as one when Mothlanthe arrived, jumping up and down in excitement as Malema introduced him as “the future of South Africa”.
Earlier in the day Malema – who faces a five-year suspension from the party – urged the delegates not to lose focus in the struggle for economic freedom in our lifetime, even if he was no longer there.
“I was telling the treasure-general (Pule Mabe) that maybe this just might be my farewell speech. It’s important that what is said is written down and recorded in the history books of the ANC youth league and the ANC,” said Malema.
“We are now preparing our lives outside the ANC and possibly in prison. Personally this has been a painful period in our lives and our families have been attacked by forces opposed to us however we are inspired by the spirit of “Asijiki”. Victory is certain, we shall overcome,” he said.
The message to the comrades was clear said Malema: “Let us go and mobilise structures of the ANC to appreciate the simple truth that we need to move with faster pace and that we need more decisive and sophisticated leadership to understand the current phase of our struggle”...
Moments later, Mantashe arrived to his deliver his report on the relationship between the mother body and the league. His reception was chilly.
At the end of three-day legkotla today the youth league was expected to resolve that in the event that Malema’s suspension does take effect, they will rally the league behind him in a show of unity despite the ongoing internal succession battle ensuing.
On Thursday, the league’s national executive committee was said to have decided that Malema, with the backing of the league would exhaust all internal ANC processes in his fight for his political life.
Malema stressed yesterday however that he would never take the ANC to court.
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phillip, wrote
It is better to be Racist unlike betraying your people like Zuma did to young people.down with zuma the corrupt person.
Anonymous, wrote
after all being said about land this and mines this, I know that once you buy a mine and resrves are finished, there is nothing that you can do but sell it to the govt hence "Nationalise", As for One recognised kingdom that build itself on Wars will it also give back the land to the tribes that it took by force. Ironically will KZN give back all the land to tribes that were Invaded by King Shaka so that these People can enjoy their rightfull ownership of this land.
Kamuzozo, wrote
I am asking myself what what different approach will Motlanthe apply to be able to deal with a hot head Malema that Zuma failed to apply. It looks like our deputy president has a very good idea of how the issue of Malema and his deputies should have been dealt with but he is not divulging it to the ANC and Zuma. If he really think he can deal with Malema better than Zuma did, then i can't see him going more than six months in his first term, especially that it is clear he is being used to make way for Fikile Mbalula.
Kamuzozo, wrote
Motlanthe is exactely the character that Malema wants, he is so quiete, his spich is so boring that it can make you sleep, so a president like him can suit Malema and his cronies well, they can dictate to him what they want and he will never be bold enough to say no. Zuma is not their favourite because you can't bull doze him.
Gsus, wrote
sibiya , wrote
on metter wat they say, they will just talk an talk but do nothing.continue Malima and please try by allmeans that you our youth in a correct way,long live JUJU long live!!!!!!!!!!
cde kgomotso, wrote
Anti Corruption, wrote
Poor Ratsatsi, It is ignorant people like you I feel sorry for. What has your "Juju" done for you? Please tell us, I think we all would like to know! How has this mamparra bettered your life? Has he created jobs for you, given you a house to live in, given your children decens schooling? Exactly why are you following him so blindly? Unfortunately he won't go to jail, but I hope the Hawks get to him, so they can take the money he stole away from him and give it to the people who deserve it. All the fools who follow his so blindly, should be excluded from this pay-out. We will then see how quickly they change their "tune" Down with Mal-enema, down with all corrupt MP's.
thomas, wrote
juju u are down and out.you can never be above ANC.MOST RESPECTED ARE OUT.AND WHO ARE YOU.TO DICTATES ANC.LEARDERSHIP.CHILDREN SHOULD LISTEN TO THIER PARENTS.DESCIPLNE WLL ALWAYS PREVAIL IN ANC.
Meldub, wrote
I just wish you rot in hell, the jail is better because you will get everything you want.
Marcy, wrote
Malema you are a RACIST!!! Quick to open your mouth and call us Racists. May you rot in HELL !! Just think of it you could become a few B.... for some men !!
Anonymous, wrote
brian, wrote
Ihope that your stay in jail will be a long and tiresome one - i suggest that you spend one day for every rand you have stolen from government coffers via your tenders. Secondly ,to all the poor people who have blindly followed you ,please look at your own situation and then yours , and then pledge blind loyalty to your cause. Ignorance is sure bliss!
anthony, wrote
yeah with a justice system such as ours ,its longo overdue that you sit and rot in jail .
ratsatsi, wrote
this is our forefather land long live juju long live ,i still salute you julius malema my president
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