Julius Malema, South African youth leader, faces a five-year suspension from the African National Congress (ANC) over charges of misconduct. His appeal is being held this week. The committee will be presented with a problem that goes well beyond the indiscretions of the accused and points to a worrying and fundamental dilemma in the presidency of Jacob Zuma.

The ANC has governed South Africa with an overwhelming majority since the country’s first multi-racial elections in 1994 and has produced many notable achievements. It has enshrined political and civil rights into the post-apartheid constitution and given every child the right to at least 12 years of education. Fifteen million people, almost a third of the population, now receive some kind of welfare, and the party has pledged to boost the three million free or subsidised houses it has already provided. Yet there are many left untouched by these achievements, with the majority of the population surviving on less than $2 a day and unemployment remaining stubbornly high. Government figures indicate 25% of the population is  without work, while most regard it to be much higher.

This has led to an increasingly frustrated and markedly young electorate in South Africa, some of whom are finding a voice in the radical and dangerous policies of Julius Malema. Once a close supporter of President Zuma, Malema has become his most fervent critic, accusing him of ignoring those poor South Africans who helped bring about his presidency in 2009. His call for a radical economic transformation has won him support from the millions still living in poverty that feel they have been left behind in the country’s economic and social achievements.

On the two most significant issues in South African politics – macro-economic policy and race relations – Malema has the loudest voice. In doing so he inserts himself at the very centre of debate about future political direction and becomes extremely attractive to those millions who feel their issues are not spoken about. This explains Malema’s huge base of support coming form the townships, where he is feted as a saviour of the poor. Many see a government that cares more about power, status and ostentatious wealth than the social conditions of its citizens. It is in this failure of the Zuma presidency that Malema finds his greatest political opportunity.

His call for Zimbabwean-style land seizures, support for Mugabe and the complete nationalisation of mining industry are worrying, yet the popular support they receive is terrifying. The appeal, held this week, will determine if his suspension is to be upheld. It is unlikely that such a decision will be reversed, but we can be sure that Malema will still form a considerable part of the political discourse and so will the increasingly large movement that he exemplifies.

The lack of a credible challenge to the ANC has created a widespread complacency within the organisation. If figures like Malema teach us anything, it’s that a vision for the future and a sense of leadership is desperately needed. The ANC must not simply represent the days of the struggle, but rather a fair and forward looking government that is capable of tackling poverty. When there is something lacking in the mainstream politics of a country, there is always a platform for the extreme.

Tags: African National Congress, Julius Malema, South Africa