South Africa’s Controversial Malema to Hold Rallies in Zimbabwe
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Julius Malema, leader of the youth wing of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress, will visit Zimbabwe this week to hold political rallies, the Herald reported, citing Indigenization Minister Saviour Kasukuwere.
Often depicted by newspaper cartoonists wearing nappies, Mr Malema is an example of the new ANC elite. Described as a “tenderpreneur” by the local media, his lifestyle – he has three homes and a fleet of luxury vehicles – comes under regular scrutiny as do his alleged financial links to companies which have been awarded lucrative government contracts. However, he has never been subject to a police investigation and no allegations of corruption have been proved against him. In fact, it is his lesser-known singing career however, that has stirred up the most controversy. This is because the songs themselves call for white citizens to be killed.
Despite this, the trip will supposedly “strengthen relations” between Zimbabwe and South Africa, the Harare-based newspaper said. Malema will also meet with members of President Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF), it said.
This meeting of the minds, between a man who is accused and most likely guilty of stirring up his followers to attack white farmers in South Africa and a leader accused of doing the same in Zimbabwe is particularly dangerous. It is also an unwanted reminder of the past as South Africa tries to portray a successful, modern image in the run-up to this year’s World Cup, held in Africa for the first time.
To reiterate – Malema has been caught repeatedly singing a song that calls for whites to be killed. He is also an advocate of nationalizing South Africa’s mining industry. In Zimbabwe, the government is indeed attempting to implement a law calling for foreign-owned miners to hand over 51 percent of their businesses to black Zimbabweans.
The Malema-Zanu connection bodes ill for foreign investment and speaks to why international bodies hold firm on sanctions to the former breadbasket of Africa. Here, we see another attempt at enforcing norms of ‘allegiance‘ and ‘strength in numbers‘, while unintelligently forgoing human rights, equality, and the chance for growth.