 Malema’s true supporters missing from city protest Signs that Julius Malema may after all not have the backing of the masses JULIUS Malema has seen many loving and supporting crowds before, but yesterday’s crowd was different. While it was rough and in line with the man’s abrasive political style, there were signs he may after all not have the backing of the masses. The loving African National Congress (ANC) Youth League members who voted for Mr Malema in June at the league’s Midrand congress were missing in Johannesburg yesterday. You only had to look at the assembled crowd and the dress code — some were clearly in their teens — to tell that many of those present had never been near a youth league membership card or application form. Choosing the right shirt was clearly also a challenge, with some wearing the shirts of the Young Communist League (YCL) — anything but a Zuma T-shirt. The young communists are regarded as Mr Malema’ s enemies. The YCL even sent out a press statement in the middle of the drama in Johannesburg yesterday condemning the actions of Mr Malema’s supporters. The crowd yesterday was definitely not the same as the vociferous 5000-strong group at the league’s Midrand congress . That crowd sang, played politics and appeared to take heed of the plea that there should be no dropping of pants, as happened at the 2008 Bloemfontein congress. It seems the league’s provinces did not see the need to send their members to Johannesburg yesterday. That left Mr Malema with the backing of a few league die- hards, and those who could be rounded up for a trip to Johannesburg. Therefore, Mr Malema may be lacking the support of the league’s members — crucial foot soldiers — during his hour of need. For the league, a body that claims to have 500000 members, the crowd in Johannesburg was too small and not entirely representative. Among those who turned up were curious schoolchildren who were caught up in the excitement. Mr Malema needs numbers . He has been isolated by ANC structures, with many sections of the tripartite alliance yesterday condemning the embarrassment resulting from the unruly crowd. However, with what seems to be waning support in the ANC’s formal politics, Mr Malema has another tool — the unemployed. Yesterday was a taste of what could happen should things not go well for him in the disciplinary hearing. There is no shortage of bored youths who are angry with the system, as the South African economy fails to create enough jobs for the unskilled. Their anger can easily be channelled to the ANC and to Mr Malema’s cause. The disciplinary hearing may well help bring SA’s Tunisia Day faster than analyst Moeletsi Mbeki’s prediction of 2020. Organising chaos should not be difficult for Mr Malema. After all, he has the experience after leading schoolchildren through a crazy looting spree in Johannesburg in 2002. The ANC took serious offence at the violent nature of the youth protest yesterday, with ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe saying the league defined itself outside the party’s traditions. But Mr Malema defined his league differently when he spoke to the crowd yesterday. He said they were the "voices of the voiceless", and appealed to the protesters to behave, saying stoning journalists would make "us lose public sympathy". All signs of a troubled politician needing all sorts of tools for survival, including — when it suits him — the public’s sympathy. [email protected] -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] . |
