Is Jub...Jub treated unfairly?

I do not want to appear as if I am defending Jub...Jub... (Julius Malema), I am not. But some things need to be put into perspective!

The spokesperson of the people of South Africa Heidi Holland wrote a piece in The Mercury on October 28 2009 titled "The Malema anomaly"

She says "Julius may elicit admiration from the youth for his brash cheek, but for most he's a colourful one-off with very little clout".  

Heidi is unconvinced that Julius is respected and representative of the youth and she thinks that Malema is arrogant yet she is convinced that most people (young and old) see nothing in Julius but an arrogant "substanceless" young boy! If my assessments are true, this is a very treacherous assumption.

Critics say Malema is no good as a leader. They say "he is simply an ill-educated 28 year old, who lacks struggle credentials so has modelled himself grandiosely on the youth activists of the 1976 generation".

Put into perspective - what is leadership?

Leadership has been described as the "process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task". A definition more inclusive of followers comes from Alan Keith of Genentech who said "Leadership is ultimately about creating a way for people to contribute to making something extraordinary happen." According to Ken Ogbonnia (2007), "effective leadership is the ability to successfully integrate and maximize available resources within the internal and external environment for the attainment of organizational or societal goals." Ogbonnia defines an effective leader "as an individual with the capacity to consistently succeed in a given condition and be recognized as meeting the expectations of an organization or society."

Cognisant of what is leadership, can we simply dismiss a "leader" simply because he is "ill-educated"?

Is education a pre-requisite to leadership? What are the academic credentials of the world famous Richard Branson for instance?

Do not get me wrong, academic education is very important and the ANC government has taken note and made it one of its five key priorities. Education however should not only be academic. Education should also be about enhancing ones skills and knowledge for one to be able to put his/her potential to maximum use. This could be done formally through academic structures and informally through other means like being active in local community activities.

There is a saying that "practise makes perfect". Leadership skills are no exception - to be a good leader you need to be actively involved in leadership practice.

It is therefore misleading and deceitful to denounce one on the basis of his/her academic shortcomings.

"After speculating about him (Malema) for months, confused citizens like me (Heidi) would like to know what Malema represents in South African politics". Why speculate Heidi? The ANCYL offices are at Chief Albert Luthuli House, 54 Sauer Street, Johannesburg. I am sure Malema will be happy to host you and explain what he represents.

Heidi calls the support of the ANCYL president by "several Sowetans youth, chauvinistic patriotism and calls the ANCYL leader controversial".

This was after the young apparently applauded Malema's remarks about Minister Pandor's accent.

It's very strange...

When people support a leader for various reasons they are called names because this leader to others is controversial. Is it possible that the people that call this leader controversial disagree with his line of thinking? If so, if I disagree with you can I call you controversial?

What makes Malema controversial? Is he really controversial or he is saying things that some people feel uneasy with because what is said threatens their comfort zones?  

Most people feel uncomfortable with how Malema engages and not with what he advances. I have read most comments on the Politicsweb website and in other newspapers and most critics of Malema have never, I mean never, advanced any substantive issue. The best the "commentators" do is attack Malema the "boy" and not the ball!

The question should be, why nationalise mines and how do you intend doing this? Is there substance to this proposal?

Heidi says "The ANC-supporting youth openly scorn Malema's double standards" apparently for: Living in Sandton; Smoking Cigars; Buying designer cloths; and, Driving big cars.

Is there something wrong with this lifestyle - if you can afford it through legitimate means?

They ask, "Where does Malema get all the money he spent on his rich lifestyle"? This is the correct/right question, but to whom should it be directed to?

I agree Malema has his shortfalls - everyone does!

Let us give him a chance and engage with him on matters of substance and not personally.

The ANCYL in its 23rd National Congress note and re-affirm the various resolutions of the Freedom Charter namely:

• The people shall govern!
• All National Groups shall have Equal Rights!
• The People Shall Share in the Country's Wealth!
• The Land shall be shared Among Those Who Work It!
• All shall be Equal before the Law!
• All Shall Enjoy Equal Human Rights!
• There shall be Work and Security!
• The Doors of Learning and Culture shall be opened!
• There shall be Houses, Security and Comfort!
• There shall be Peace and Friendship!"

In moving towards achieving these ideals, the ANCLY passed various resolutions which were intended at guiding the Program of Action of the ANCYL.

Malema should be measured by the progress of the ANCYL in achieving the ideals of the Freedom Charter as stated above.

The real debate should be: 

• What is the PoA of the ANCYL;
• What contribution is the ANCYL making to the development of young people in South Africa; and
• How much of the ANCYL's energy is spent on economic empowerment programs for young people.  

Let us give Malema and other young leaders a space to learn, lead, engage and grow. The future is in the youth's hands. The elders and the society at large should not denounce them without offering constructive advice.

If we continue on the current path we will unintentionally create gigantically arrogant dictators who denounce everything the people say because to them every engagement will be critical on their person and not on their propositions!

Senzo Masengemu writes in his personal capacity

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