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Time to grow up, Malema

TO MOST South Africans I talk to every day about economics, politics, companies and the media Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), is a promising young leader with a lot going for him.

This has been prompted by his party’s good showing in South Africa’s fifth democratic elections. It was the first time the party took part in general elections, and yet it gained a little more than 6% of the country’s vote.

However, this week’s violent events in the Johannesburg CBD, where members of the EFF stormed offices of the legislature, has left most of these people doubtful if the political firebrand is ever going to be a mature and disciplined leader.

Malema’s band of livid fans stormed the Gauteng legislature, wreaking mayhem after pushing back law enforcers who were keeping watch over the building.

This was after a march which started in Braamfontein. Hundreds of EFF backers broke through a police cordon and went into the building. Malema was ahead of the charge and allegedly got hold of the legislature door so his supporters could enter the building.

The EFF supporters were marching against Gauteng Legislature Speaker Ntombi Mekgwe’s order that EFF MPLs should not be allowed into the legislature wearing red overalls.

Once inside the building, Malema told his party’s supporters to stage a sit-in, allegedly telling them to “respond” if police officers tried to beat them up.

This is exactly the same tactic Malema used when he was the leader of the Congress of South African Students (Cosas) and the ANC Youth League (ANCYL).

As a leader of these organisations at the time, Malema had on occasion bussed unruly and violent youngsters into Johannesburg. These youths damaged property and looted small retailers, destroying the livelihood of many people in the process.

That Malema’s tactics as a leader have not changed and that his followers still behave in the same manner as Cosas and ANCYL members became evident this week, when the marchers started helping themselves to the food meant for members of the legislature. They also had running battles with the police.

On Wednesday Malema flew to Cape Town to take part in the debate of the day. But this time around, his demeanour was subdued as he read his speech which tackled, among other things, Israel’s shelling of Gaza.

It is not clear why he was so muted this time around. But one can only assume that he was embarrassed by the events of the night before.

Melama should start to learn that violent incidents by his supporters are not going to help his cause at all.
I urge him to continue with this behaviour every year until the next general elections - and he will only get 1% or less of the country’s vote. Then he will be out in the wilderness. Malema is self-destructing.

But he does not seem to get it. On Wednesday, while addressing parliament, he said EFF will rule the country one day.

He should also be aware that events like those of this week play right into the hands of his nemesis, President Jacob Zuma. The more Malema supporters get involved this bad behaviour, the more people will feel that EFF does not deserve their vote.

 - Fin24

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