Malema affirms support for President Zuma

| Friday June 17, 2011 00:00

Speaking at the opening of the Youth League's elective conference, where he is set to sail into a second term as president of the most powerful bloc within the ANC, Malema accused the media of fabricating a rift between him and Zuma.

'Sitting here are your protectors. These are the people who delivered you to the Union Buildings (the official seat of the government) and we will forever protect you,' Malema told Zuma, who was at the event. 'You have no reason to doubt us.' But ANC insiders said despite his comments, Malema is at odds with Zuma, who has dismissed the league's drives to nationalise mines in the world's biggest platinum producer and seize white-owned farms.

Speaking at the conference, Zuma called on critics not to read too much into discussions within the ruling party, saying that differing views should not be stifled. 'One of the problems that face our critics and the people who tell stories about us is that they are not used to democratic organisations,' he said. 'If there is an open debate, they think it is a fight.'

Malema, the son of a maid, has been one of South Africa's most powerful politicians since becoming Youth League president three years ago. The league is regarded as a king-maker within the ANC, and is often used by party bigwigs to launch leadership bids and float policy ideas. (Reuters)