THE ANC Youth League’s Julius Malema has suffered a series of defeats over the last week which suggest his influence is waning within the ANC. And he has opened a fresh front against the ANC’s left allies, a move which might cost him if only because he is fuelling tensions in the alliance at a time when the ANC leadership is trying to build unity.
Malema’s two major failings were his effort to keep Eskom’s Jacob Maroga in office and his defence of Athletics South Africa’s Leonard Chuene. Both positions never gained traction within the ANC and the government and both Maroga and Chuene found out that support from Malema didn’t count for much when the big players stepped into the ring.
In Maroga’s case it is now abundantly clear that government and the ANC wanted him gone and – in a further blow to Malema – they wanted Bobby Godsell back as chairman.
In Chuene’s case, Malema and the Youth League had to do some hasty backpeddling as the ANC cut him loose and publcily criticised him.
Malema’s proposal that the mines be nationalised has failed to achieve traction in the ANC. The response appears to have been some patronising winking and chuckling which Malema has mistaken for agreement with his agenda. Perhaps to his surprise, the SACP has dismissed the proposal.
Bemused, confused and … can’t think of anything that rhymes so … stung, Malema has decided to chew on the ankles of Jeremy Cronin, a formidable influence in the ANC’s left who will not be intimidated.
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1. Malema backs Chuene, Pope still Catholic.
2. Julius Malema censured for attack on Naledi Pandor
3. Malema and Chuene’s secret meeting – they should discuss their shame
4. My interview with Julius Malema – full text
5. Susan Shabangu shoots down Malema nationalisation proposal