Juju is still top candidate for ANC youth

ANC Youth League president Julius Malema is far ahead in the popularity stakes in the build-up to the league's June elective conference.

Malema's quest for a second term as president is said to be challenged by Gauteng chairperson Lebogang Maile.

Five provinces - Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and North West - have confirmed their support for Malema.

KwaZulu-Natal provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo said: "We took a resolution at our last conference and even now our branches say they all belong to comrade Julius. It is too late for anyone to think they can lobby our support. There is no space left for another candidate or view."

The other provinces, including Maile's home base Gauteng, and Free State told Sowetan yesterday that they had not yet started leadership discussions.

But Maile's supporters believe that he could still swing the vote in his favour because provinces like Eastern Cape and Limpopo remain divided on the matter. They also believe that the majority of Gauteng branches will back Maile.

Recently, the Mail and Guardian reported that Maile's challenge to Malema had been endorsed by President Jacob Zuma.