Julius Malema, the twenty-nine year old leader of the ruling ANC's Youth League has been described by President Jacob Zuma as a future leader of South Africa. On 10 April 2010, the self-same Zuma publically dressed down his protege as somebody who speaks before thinking. It appears that the once "Golden Boy" of ANC politics is fast falling from grace following a procession of unsavory incidents that has left the citizens of South Africa more racially divided and fearful of the future than has been the case since the assassination of South African Communist Party leader, Chris Hani, in 1993.
Shoot the Boer
In March 2010, Malema sang the activism song "Shoot the Boer" at a Johannesburg University campus rally. (The Citizen article) The song has blatant racial undertones and was last publicly uttered in 1993 by the late Peter Mokaba, then president of the ANC Youth League. Malema's rendition caused an uproar amongst political parties and citizens of South Africa alike and, following another public performance later in March, was condemned by the ANC. Malema was subsequently found guilty of hate speech and was ordered not to perform the song again.
Eugene Terre'Blanche Murdered
In the early evening of 3 April 2010, Eugene Terre'Blanche, leader of the neo-Nazi organization the AWB, was hacked to death by two black youths on his farm in Ventersdorp. (Sunday Times article) The motive for the killing was blamed on a wage dispute but the implications of Julius Malema's actions during the preceding month were clearly evident. The AWB blamed the singing of "Shoot the Boer" for the murder of their leader and racial tension peaked, evidence of which became clearly visible in groups on the public platform Facebook, where both radical black and white citizens threw insults and threats at each other while the moderate majority issued pleas for calm.
Zimbabwe
Julius Malema, who was on an official visit to Zimbabwe, declined to comment on Terre'Blanche's murder but did comment on Robert Mugabe's land expropriation policy, which had seen thousands of white land owners chased from their farms by masses of black supporters of the Zimbabwe government. Malema stated:
"We want the mines. They have been exploiting our minerals for a long time. Now it's our turn to also enjoy from these minerals. They are so bright, they are colourful, we refer to them as white people, maybe their colour came as a result of exploiting our minerals and perhaps if some of us can get opportunities in these minerals we can develop some nice colour like them." and ""In South Africa we are just starting. Here in Zimbabwe you are already very far" (Sunday Times)
Attack on the Press
On his arrival back in South Africa, Julius Malema verbally attacked BBC journalist Jonah Fisher at a press conference in Johannesburg. The incident occurred after Malema had criticized Zimbabwe's opposition MDC Party of having offices in the upper-class Johannesburg suburb of Sandton, upon which time Fisher commented that Malema himself lived in Sandton. Fisher was evicted from the conference by Malema, whilst calling the journalist a "thing", a "bastard" and an "agent" along with accusing him of having "white tendencies" and "rubbish covered in that trouser". Following this incident, Malema remained unrepentant for his actions, accusing Fisher of being disrespectful and coming from a country which undermined the credibility and integrity of African leaders. (Daily Dispatch)
On 10 April 2010, a day after the Johannesburg incident, President Jacob Zuma issued a statement criticizing Malema's conduct, which was broadcast by SABC News: "The manner in which a BBC journalist was treated at an ANC Youth League press conference is regrettable and unacceptable, regardless of any alleged provocation on his part."
The African National Congress appear to have come to a political crossroad concerning Julius Malema. Due to the impending FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the eyes of the World are on the country and many questions are being raised about how capable the South African government are of hosting the event. Actions by as prominent a figure as Julius Malema, along with the actions taken of senior Government to control one of their own are being scrutinized more vehemently on a daily basis. As recognized by President Zuma in his public pleas for calm in the wake of recent events, it appears that larger sections of South Africa's population are now more fearful of the racially-radical minorities creating more internal turmoil through foolhardy speech and action.
It seems fair to say that the recent conduct of Julius Malema has been detrimental to South Africa's image, and that expectations on the Government to ensure that the democratic Rainbow Nation built by Mr. Nelson Mandela remains, are higher than ever.
Sources: The Citizen - South Africa, The Sunday Times - South Africa, The Daily Dispatch - South Africa, SABC News - South Africa
Warren Potter - I am a 42 year old South African who has been writing since time began - it feels like it anyway. My freelance exploits have taken me to ...
