South Africa is less than a month away from hosting the FIFA 2010 World Cup, but the international community is showing concern over the rantings of Julius Malema - the President of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL). Malema has recently been summoned to a disciplinary hearing at the National Disciplinary Commision (NDC) for his misconduct. Malema was charged with four counts of misconduct, including singing the Apartheid struggle song " Shoot the Boer " after the constitutional court has banned it, lashing out at BBC journalist Jonah Fisher and calling him a "bastard", expressing admiration for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF and undermining South African President Jacob Zuma.
The Ruling on May 11, 2010, Chairperson Derek Hanekom ruled that three of the charges will be dropped against Mr Malema citing a plea bargain. The fourth charge of undermining President Zuma was a more serious matter, however. Along with a 10,000 rand fine, Mr Malema was to publicly apologise to President Zuma and the Public for "Creating serious divisions and breakdown of unity in the organization" (Mr Malema's official apology letter, drafted by the ANC, 11 May 2010). Mr Malema is to attend the ANC Political School for at least twenty days and an anger management program.
Mr Malema's Letter of Apology
11 May 2010
ANNEXURE A
I, Julius Malema, apologise to the President of the ANC and the Republic, comrade Jacob Zuma and to the membership of the African National Congress and the public in general for the statements and utterances that I made on 11 April 2010 at the ANC Youth League Limpopo Provincial Congress implying that the ANC Youth League has taken a position against the President of the ANC.
I accept that these statements had the effect of undermining the stature of the President of the African National Congress and of the Republic. It further may have had the effect of undermining the confidence of our people in the leadership of the ANC and of creating serious divisions and breakdown of unity in the organization.
I make this apology unconditionally as I accept that as a leader of the ANC and of the ANC Youth League my conduct and public utterances should at all times reflect respect and restraint. I accept one of the key principles of Congress leadership as outlined in Through the Eye of the Needle, a policy document adopted by the 51st and 52nd National Conferences of the ANC, that “an abiding quality of leadership is to learn from mistakes, to appreciate weaknesses and to correct them.”
I have learned from this mistake and therefore submit myself to the discipline of the ANC.Public Opinion
Many feel that the ruling is a clear statement about South African Politics at the moment. Lashing out at the media, citing with Robert Mugabe, despite President Zuma's efforts to mediate Zimbabwe's power sharing parties, ignoring the Constitutional Courts ban on a song that incites imminent violence- none of them come close to badmouthing your President by comparing him to former President Thabo Mbeki.
The message, many feel, is clear that the constitution is flexible, but criticizing the Commander-in-Chief is a definite no-no. With Malema earmarked as a shoe-in for the next presidency, there is great concern for South Africa's future.
[Source: Sowetan.co.za, Zukile Majova and Kingdom Mabuza, 12 May 2010, accessed 12 May 2010]
[Source: blogs.timeslive.co.za, Ray Hartley, 11 May 2010, accessed 12 May 2010]
[Source: www.hellonam.com]
[Source: www.news24.com]
Christian Theron - Born and raised in South Africa, I am a 28-year-old kid with a passion for movies and stories. I have over seven years experience in ...
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