But after becoming president of the Youth League — a post once held by Nelson Mandela who was also seen as a firebrand in his youth — in April 2008, Julius Malema picked a rich furrow to plough by taking a vocal, populist and nationalist position on issues of race and wealth redistribution.
The stance has won him supporters not only in the youth league but the mother party as well. Among prominent supporters are Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Housing Minister Tokyo Sexwale and Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula.
Among many white South Africans, they have made him into a bogeyman who together with his army of supporters could seek belated revenge on them for apartheid.
Isn't that always the case with backboned black men? We speak up and folk get nervous about what we might do. As Bob Marley sang: Guiltiness!
Telegraph of London