ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema yesterday appeared unperturbed by the verdict passed against him, saying he always knew the verdict would be against him and the league's leadership collective.

"I know the enemy is busy smiling as we speak, but I can assure you that that celebration will not last. I am going to fight with whatever we have because this is the legacy of former president Nelson Mandela, and it is worth fighting for," Malema told a crowd outside the University of South Africa Limpopo Campus yesterday.

"Remember comrades, the ANC is the only home we have, and if those with power kick us out of our home, there is nowhere to go."

He said the national executive committee of the league would meet at the weekend to chart a way forward in as far as the verdict was concerned.

Malema made the address shortly after his political science exam in Polokwane.

"I did not have any sleepless nights thinking about the outcome of the disciplinary hearing against me and the entire leadership collective as I always knew what the verdict would be. That's why I woke up to write my exams."

The ANC disciplinary committee yesterday suspended Malema for five years effectively after it found him guilty of bringing the party into disrepute and of sowing division within the party.

The verdict means Malema has lost his position as president of the league pending an appeal. "I am going to appeal the verdict to defend the revolution of the ANCYL."

Yesterday, national disciplinary committee (NDC) member Susan Shabangu said Malema could continue with his work as usual until the appeals committee had decided whether it overturns the NDC decision. "He can appeal in the next 14 days and is allowed to organise rallies until the appeals committee decides," Shabangu said.

Malema was found guilty of, among other things, advocating for regime change in Botswana.