ANC Youth League deputy president Ronald Lamola gives his views on his relationship with Julius Malema.
On Malema’s mooted party:
I distance myself from that party. It’s a misguided militancy and radicalism. Radicalism is very dangerous when it’s not guided. All of us are angry, but the path he is taking is a misleading path to economic freedom fighters.
On Malema’s use of the phrase “economic freedom fighters”:
These are the resolutions of the Gallagher conference of the youth league. They are not the personal assets or fiefdom of Julius Malema.
On when and why they fell out:
It was before the June 16 rally of the youth league in Bethlehem. My relationship with him deteriorated because I disagreed with him when they wanted to come and address a national executive committee meeting of the youth league and the rally after they were expelled.
On Malema’s expulsion from the ANC:
I still believe the expulsion was wrong. But I still believe we must fight within proper channels of the ANC.
On allegations that he begged Zuma for the ANCYL presidency:
The meetings which happened prior to and after Mangaung were aimed at avoiding disbandment, because our view was that disbandment was going to erode the historical role which the youth league has always played.
Does he feel used and dumped by Zuma?:
No, I don’t at all. Jacob Zuma never made any commitment that he is not going to disband the youth league.
On his relationship with Malema:
We don’t have any relationship. That’s why I am surprised he’s mentioning my name in his interviews.
Why he is speaking out against Malema only now:
We wanted to remain quiet and focus on our work… but this has now provoked us to respond.
The Star