| Julius Malema | |
|---|---|
| President of the ANC Youth League | |
| In office April 2008 – 10 November 2011 |
|
| Vice President | Andile Lungisa, Ronald Lamola |
| Preceded by | Fikile Mbalula |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Julius Sello Malema 3 March 1981 Seshego |
| Nationality | South African |
| Political party | African National Congress |
| Nickname(s) | Juju |
Julius Sello Malema (born 3 March 1981, in Seshego) is a South African politician, and the former president of the African National Congress Youth League. Malema occupies a notably controversial position in South African public and political life; having risen to prominence with his support for African National Congress president, and later President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma. He has been described by both Zuma[1] and the Premier of Limpopo Province as the "future leader" of South Africa.[2] Less favourable portraits paint him as a "reckless populist" with the potential to destabilise South Africa and to spark racial conflict.[3] He was convicted of hate speech in March 2010[4][5][6] and again in September 2011.[7] In November 2011 he was found guilty of sowing divisions within the ANC and, in conjunction with his 2 year suspended sentence in May 2010, was suspended from the party for 5 years compelling him to give up his position as ANC Youth League president.[8]
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Malema, a Pedi, was born in Seshego. His mother was a domestic worker and a single parent.[9][10] He joined the African National Congress's Masupatsela at the age of nine[10] or ten[9] whose main task was to illegally remove National Party posters.[10]
Malema took longer than usual to complete secondary school, graduating at the age of 21 from Mohlakaneng High School in Seshego, Limpopo; he failed most of his subjects.[11][12][13] In 2010, Malema completed a two-year diploma in youth development through University of South Africa (UNISA). He is currently enrolled at UNISA for a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and African languages.[14]
Malema was elected a chairman of the Youth League branch in Seshego and the regional chairman in 1995. In 1997 he became the chairman of the Congress of South African Students (Cosas) for the Limpopo province, and was elected as the national president of that organisation in 2001.[15] In 2002, Malema led a Cosas march by school pupils, through the streets of Johannesburg that was marred by incidents of violence and looting.[12]
Malema was elected as the president of the ANC Youth League in April 2008.[16] The election – and the conference – were characterised by what Malema himself later described as "unbecoming conduct".[17] The integrity of his election has been criticised and questioned.[18] He was later re-elected unopposed for a second term on 17 June 2011 at Gallagher Estate in Midrand when Lebogang Maile, the only opposing nomination, declined the nomination.
In 3 April 2010, Malema visited Zimbabwe, in what was described as a visit on indigenisation. He was expected to meet Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe. Upon landing in Harare, Malema was greeted by Zanu-PF supporters as well as Zimbabwe's Youth and Indigenization Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, and ZANU-PF Youth Chairman Absolom Sikhosana, as well as Zimbabwean business figures who had risen to prominence in recent years.[19] Morgan Tsvangirai, Zimbabwean Prime Minister, condemned Malema's visit, after Malema criticised Tsvangirai's party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).[20] During the visit, he described Tsvangirai as an ally of "imperialists", and called for the Zimbabwe-style seizure of mines and farms in South Africa (see below).[21] Youth organisations in Zimbabwe criticised Malema's visit, citing his controversial racial statements and alleged corruption.[22] Malema's comments during the visit sparked fears that South Africa would follow Zimbabwe's chaotic land reform example.[22] Malema also blamed the MDC for introducing political violence to Zimbabwe, and defended Robert Mugabe's political and human rights record.[23]
On Malema's return from Zimbabwe, the ANC Youth league released a statement praising Mugabe and Zimbabwe's land seizures. It also called on South Africa's youth to follow the example of young people in Zimbabwe, and to engage in agriculture in order to reduce their dependence on white farmers.[24] Malema's support within the ANC Youth League remains strong, although no longer monolithic.
Malema's visit came while President Jacob Zuma was trying to broker a political settlement in Zimbabwe, and reportedly caused concern among ANC officials, but Zuma himself blessed the visit.[25] The ANC, however, in a later statement distanced itself from the ANC Youth League's electoral support of ZANU-PF.[26]
On 8 April 2010, at a Johannesburg media briefing covering his visit to Zimbabwe, Malema was involved in a racial abuse incident with Jonah Fisher, a BBC journalist.[27] Malema had been criticising the Movement for Democratic Change for having offices in affluent Sandton, when BBC journalist Jonah Fisher commented that Malema himself lived in Sandton. Malema lashed out at Fisher, after Fisher described Malema's comments as rubbish.[28][29][30][31][32][33] Malema was unapologetic about his actions, and accused Fisher of being disrespectful, and of coming from a country [the UK] which undermined the credibility and integrity of African leaders.[34] After the incident Malema said he expected an apology from Fisher[35] However, the next day, the ANC issued a statement condemning Malema's actions during the news conference.[26][35] On 10 April 2010, at a Durban news conference, where he characterised Malema's conduct as "alien to the ANC",[36] President Jacob Zuma publicly criticised Malema's behaviour [37] saying that "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", and said that he had spoken to Malema about his conduct by telephone.[38][39] Malema remained defiant after Zuma's rebuke.[36]
On 18 April 2010, it was reported that Malema faced disciplinary procedures by the ANC for bringing it and the government into disrepute.[40][41] The charges related to his endorsement of Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party during his visit to Zimbabwe, when President Jacob Zuma was trying to broker a negotiated settlement in the country, a controversial incident involving a BBC journalist, his comments on the murder of Eugène Terre'Blanche, and unfavorably comparing Zuma to his predecessor Thabo Mbeki, after Zuma called a press conference reprimanding Malema.[42] Julius Malema faced a "hostile" disciplinary committee on 3 May 2010.[43]
On 11 May 2010, Malema entered into a plea bargain, and three of the charges against him were dropped (the attack on the BBC journalist, his endorsement of Mugabe, and his singing of "shoot the Boer" after it was banned). He pleaded guilty to criticising Zuma after Zuma publicly censured him, and was ordered by the disciplinary committee to make a public apology for his conduct, fined R10 000 to be donated to a youth development project, and to attend anger management classes. He was also warned of suspension from the ANC if he re-offended within two years. Malema complied, apologising "unconditionally", stating that he accepted that his "conduct and public utterances should at all times reflect respect and restraint".
Malema became a vocal advocate of nationalising South African mines.[44] Although the ANC, including Mining Minister Susan Shabangu, and president Jacob Zuma[45] made it clear that this was not ANC policy,[46] Malema continued to advocate this position. Malema's opinions on nationalisation are not shared by South Africa's large National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), which stated that it is against the nationalisation of South Africa's mines . At a public meeting at the University of Western Cape, Malema asked: "Why should we pay for our land?".[47] He then advocated the return of land without compensation and the removal of the "willing buyer, willing seller" principle. At a June 16 Youth Day celebration, Malema accused whites of "stealing land" and again advocated for the redistribution of land without compensation.[48]
In April 2010 Malema led a youth delegation to Venezuela to study that country's nationalisation programme.[49]
Malema campaigned enthusiastically for the ANC in the April 2009 elections. However, he was asked to leave Port Elizabeth's Dora Nginza Hospital after the head of the hospital noticed him and 20 other ANC members campaigning in the wards.[50] In an apparent effort to reach the new youth, Malema also began visiting schools. These visits were criticised by Deputy President of South Africa, and of the ANC, Kgalema Motlanthe for being disruptive to education.[51]
In early 2010, Malema urged ANC Youth League members to join the South African National Defence Force, and said that there were plans for the Youth League leadership to join the reservist programme.[52] The military training was confirmed in May 2010, with the naval [53] training due to commence in September 2010.[54]
In March 2010, in what was widely held to be a rebuke of Malema, the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC) lashed out at the "new culture of public feuds, insults and personal attacks" and adopted a policy of disciplining those who became involved in public disputes with members of the governing ANC-SACP-COSATU alliance.[55]
Malema's bid for a second term as Youth League president received a boost in 2010 when a number of Eastern Cape ANC Youth League regional conferences in the Eastern Cape elected candidates remained loyal to him,[56] although there were some allegations of irregularities from Malema's opponents.[57] In Malema's home province, Limpopo, a fiercely contested race for the Youth League presidency had been expected.[35] The Limpopo meeting experienced vigorous discussion, on occasion degenerating into violence. Malema's rivals and journalists were reportedly ejected by police, at the behest of Malema.[58][59]
On Aug 30, 2011 Malema was subjected to a disciplinary hearing by the ANC. Malema's supporters held a rally in the center of Johannesburg that turned into a violent confrontation such as the country had not seen since the end of the days of the struggle. Some of the protesters held placards with slogans like "South Africa for blacks only",[60] that caused many disapproving reactions from the black community.
Julius Malema brought an application to have all charges against him quashed. The ANC's National Disciplinary Committee met on the 31st August 2011 and 1 September to deliberate on this application. The ruling was delivered at 09h00 on the 2 September 2011. The NDC dismissed Julius Malema’s application to have the charges quashed.[61]
On 10 November 2011, ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema was found guilty of provoking divisions within the ruling party and of bringing the organisation into disrepute, and was suspended for five years. He will vacate his position.[8]
Reports about Malema's possible involvement in state tenders (contracts)[18] began appearing in November 2009.[62] Questions about his personal lifestyle were raised by the South African media.[63][64][65][66][67][68][69] Some analysts suggest that this is also known as being a tenderpreneur, which is the early emergence of a form of kleptocracy, or predatory behaviour by a clique in the ruling elite, to generate personal wealth by capturing resources.[70]
In March 2010, addressing the allegations at a rally at a university campus, Malema, sang the struggle song "shoot the Boer"[71] (see below), and lashed out at opposition politicians. He also attacked COSATU general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.[72][73]
In August 2010, the Public Protector released a report which cleared Malema of involvement in state tenders in Limpopo. This was received with scepticism by some.[74]
A few weeks after the tender controversy was first reported, the ANC Youth League released the personal details of City Press Investigations Editor Dumisane Lubisi, his wife and his children, including their identity numbers, bank details, residential address and vehicle details.[75] Lubisi had reported on the poor construction quality of the Limpopo projects carried out by Malema's firms.[76][77] The ANCYL made claims that it had evidence that journalists were corrupt in several respects.[78][79]
In response, a large group of political journalists complained [80] to various authorities within the ANC and to the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) stating that they viewed the release as an attempt to intimidate them into not publishing further stories, and as a threat to media freedom. They further questioned how a political organisation obtained sensitive personal information without breaking the law.[81][82] The Sowetan newspaper, in an editorial, called the steps to silence journalists "tyrannical", and accused the ANC Youth league of exploiting its closeness to "state and institutional power", to intimidate journalists who wrote about Malema.[83] SANEF also released a statement supporting the journalists.[84]
Malema then issued a statement that the ANCYL would continue to expose journalists.[85]
Whilst overseas at a friend's wedding in Mauritius at the end of October 2011, it was reported in various South African media that Malema faced various charges of corruption, fraud and money laundering – these charges having been brought forward by the Special Investigative Unit, the Hawks. At the core of the allegations is the Ratanang Trust, a trust ostensibly set up by Malema and named for his son – with his son and grandmother listed as beneficiaries – but allegedly is the focal point for payments made by politically-connected businessmen in return for lucrative state tenders, mostly in the impoverished Limpopo region.
Malema has since denied all wrong-doing, whilst various investigations continue.
On March 15, 2010 Malema was convicted of hate speech by the Equality Court, fined R50 000 and ordered to apologise unconditionally,[4][5][6] following a 2009 incident when he told a group of Cape Town students at a South African Students' Congress (SASCO) meeting that the woman who accused ANC president Jacob Zuma of rape had a "nice time" with him because in the morning she had "requested breakfast and taxi money"[86] Following the conviction SASCO expressed "delight" at the ruling and attacked Malema for the "gratuitous abuse" of the platform that SASCO granted him [87]
In March 2010, at a rally on a university campus Malema sang the lyrics "shoot the Boer" (Dubul' ibhunu[88]) from the anti-apartheid song Ayasab' amagwala (the cowards are scared)[89] ("Boer" is the Afrikaans word for "farmer", but is also used as a derogatory term for any white person[90][91]). His singing was compared to similar chants by deceased Youth League leader Peter Mokaba in the early 1990s, to "kill the boer",[89] which had previously been defined as hate speech by the South African Human Rights Commission.[92]
Malema's singing of the song led to a barrage of complaints against him, both to the police, and to the commission.[92][93]
The ANC said "We wouldn't appreciate any statements against any member of our society, including whites... they are also South Africans", however, it "had not taken a decision in the matter".[94]
The Southern Gauteng High Court ruled on 26 March 2010 that Malema's song (which he had continued singing at public gatherings [95]) was "unconstitutional and unlawful", and that any person singing it could face charges of incitement to murder, stating that the song called for the killing of the "farmer/white man", however, the ANC defended the song.[96] The ANC announced it would appeal the ruling. The Northern Gauteng High Court, on 1 April 2010 then granted an interdict preventing Malema from publicly uttering the words of this or any other song which could be considered to be instigating violence, distrust and/or hatred between black and white citizens in the Republic of South Africa" until the matter was heard by the Equality Court, to which the case was referred by the presiding judge.[97][98]
In the aftermath of Eugène Terre'Blanche's April 2010 murder, senior leaders of the ANC temporarily banned the singing of the song, amid concerns that struggle songs were being used to "scapegoat" the ANC and to further racial hatred, and because of concerns that ANC leaders who continued singing the songs may have been in contempt of the court orders banning the singing of the song.
President Jacob Zuma, at a 10 April 2010 news conference said Malema was "totally out of order" for ignoring ANC instructions to obey the court order banning the singing the song. Zuma emphasised the constitutional role of the judiciary and the rule of law, and also said that the role of the judiciary "as the final arbiter in disputes" had to be respected, and that defiance of the proper procedures in place to challenge judicial rulings, made a "mockery of the judicial system" and "should not be tolerated".[37][39]
In April 2011 Afriforum brought a case of hate speech against Malema in regard to the song and several notable ANC figures such as Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and secretary-general Gwede Mantashe threw their weight behind him in the court battle. Aggressive and patronizing questioning of black witnesses by lawyers for the Afrikaner groups bringing the suit reportedly allowed Malema to portray himself a victim of Afrikaner persecution.[99]
On 12 September 2011, Malema was found guilty of hate speech.[7][100]
On September 15th 2011 Genocide Watch, an international organization which monitors countries for signs of genocidal behavior, upgraded South Africa to Stage 6 "Preparation" on the Countries at Risk Chart until Julius Malema is removed from a position of power because of "his attempts to incite racial hatred in the land."[101]
Malema is known for his controversial statements and has become a frequent target for lampooning. Initially, Cartoonists Zapiro and Jeremy Nell frequently drew him dressed in nappies.[102][103] Some analysts depict him as an orator, with a broad appeal in the young, poor, and disadvantaged black electorate.[104] More recently, as Malema's public profile has grown, he has been described by critics in the media as a "demagogue".[105] He was listed in Time (magazine)'s Least Influential People of 2010,[106] whilst conversely Forbes Magazine named him as one of the "10 Youngest Power Men In Africa" in September 2011.[107]