THERE is nothing fashionable about Julius Malema any more, at least as far as pop culture and trends are concerned.

This was the assertion of City Press lifestyle magazine editor Lesley Mofokeng, who believes that Malema is a spent political force who will become irrelevant in the mainstream.

He was commenting on the possible impact of Malema’s suspension on the JuJu fashion label launched recently.

“Julius Malema might just be a spent political force and his level of currency is very low, he is compromised as a brand.

“He has certainly started his career in the political wilderness and he will be irrelevant for quite some time.

“As far as the mainstream goes, he simply does not exist any more, at least for the duration of his suspension,” said Mofokeng.

He said, however, that Malema might return after a while as others before him had done.

“You will remember that Winnie Madikizela-Mandela was also discarded at some point and snubbed by president (Thabo) Mbeki.

“She was out in the wilderness and people did not really want anything to do with her. She became irrelevant until Polokwane, when she reinvented herself.

“Maybe Malema will do just that, but for now he is not mainstream.”

Reputation specialist Anda Ngani said this period would be a real test for brand Malema and how much it can endure. – Mogomotsi Magome