The ANC Youth League said reports of leader Julius Malema, allegedly using an extremely derogatory term to describe Indians, had been fabricated.
Malema was addressing residents of Thembelihle, in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, on Wednesday.
“ Bana ba lena ba tshwanetše ba dumelelwe gore ba tsene sekolo le bana ba makula mona(your children must be allowed to go to school with c**lie children),” he was quoted as saying by Business Day.
Sindiso Magaqa, ANCYL secretary general, said the party would challenge anyone to provide footage of Malema using the derogatory term. Magaqa said Malema did not even refer to Indians during his address. “He (Malema) never used any word like that,” said Magaqa, adding that he was present when the league president spoke to the crowd.
“If people claim it is true then they should provide footage… This is just an attempt to deal with the Youth League and its campaign of economic freedom in our lifetime.”
More than 600 residents had gathered to hear Malema speak in the lead-up to planned marches for “economic freedom” in Gauteng.
Malema, urged residents to march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to ensure that they finally found dignity.
ANC spokesman, Keith Khoza, told Business Day the ruling party was not aware of the matter.
“But certainly we expect ANC leadership to be responsible in any pronouncement... they need not offend other communities,” Khoza told the newspaper.
Malema ended his address by leading the crowd in an alternative rendition of Dubul’ iBhunu(shoot the boer) called “kiss the boer” before pointing his finger at the crowd and mimicking the sounds of gunfire. Many residents were in agreement with Malema.
“This (march) is a good thing. We spent too many years in shacks. If there is no salt, we will fight until we get salt,” an unnamed resident said.
Other residents said Malema was talking nonsense.
“We are human beings. Kill the boer is not for us. We just want electricity and service delivery,” Eric Mdluli said.
The Economic Freedom Youth Mass Action is to be held on October 27 and 28 at Beyers Naude Square in central Joburg, the Chamber of Mines in Hollard Street, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in Sandton and at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. – Sapa