Julius Malema’s popularity made clear

By Khanyisa Tabata
16 June 2011

Calls for Julius Malema to be re-elected as president of the ANC Youth League have dominated the start of the organisation’s 24th National Congress at the Gallagher Estate in Midrand.

Andile Lundisa, the programme director for the first day of the four-day conference, asked delegates not to mention people’s names when singing but they continued to sing after he had left the podium.

At the congress Malema is being challenged by Lebogang Maile, the Gauteng provincial chairman.

Maile will go to the election as an underdog after he failed to get even a single province to endorse his candidacy.

Malema on the other hand was endorsed by all nine provinces including Maile's province.

Another post expected to be highly contested is the general secretary position.

KwaZulu-Natal ANCYL deputy chairman Sindiso Magaqa, and Eastern Cape ANCYL chairman Ayanda Matiti, are vying to replace outgoing incumbent, Vuyiswa Tulelo.