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Zuma must go!

THAT'S OUR MAN: Supporters of expelled ANC Youth League President Julis Malema chant slogans during an ANCYL rally in Limpopo province March 25, 2012. Expelled ANCYL President Julius Malema upped the stakes on Sunday, saying he would challenge a decision to suspend him from the ruling ANC in court.Photo: Siphiwe Sibeko/REUTERS
THAT'S OUR MAN: Supporters of expelled ANC Youth League President Julis Malema chant slogans during an ANCYL rally in Limpopo province March 25, 2012. Expelled ANCYL President Julius Malema upped the stakes on Sunday, saying he would challenge a decision to suspend him from the ruling ANC in court.Photo: Siphiwe Sibeko/REUTERS

Malema calls for change of leadership in ANC

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma must go.

This message was made clear yesterday at the ANC Youth League's (ANCYL) centenary celebrations at Nkowankowa Stadium outside Tzaneen in Limpopo.

The celebrations allegedly kick-started ANC deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe's campaign to oust Zuma and become president of the ANC.

This became evident when thousands of ANCYL supporters, many wearing T-shirts with Motlanthe's face, sang and danced to revolutionary struggle songs.

As he entered the stadium, they said "Motlanthe for president". Motlanthe was flanked by ANC national executive committee member and Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, expelled ANCYL leader Julius Malema, ANC provincial chairman and Limpopo premier Cassel Mathale and senior ANCYL leaders.

Malema told the packed stadium that it was time for leadership change.

On Saturday, ANCYL secretary Sindiso Magaqa said Motlanthe should replace Zuma.

Mbalula, Malema and Mathale were part of a core group that helped Zuma to oust former president Thabo Mbeki, but relations between the men have subsequently soured.

Malema said Motlanthe is the future of the ANC and called on the ANCYL to rally behind him. He also told Mbalula that the journey to Mangaung had started.

"As leaders we rely on you the masses because you are our only hope and future for Mangaung and beyond," said Malema.

Earlier Mbalula called on young people "to stick together and ignore those who want to ban the youth league".

"It must be clear to you that those who are saying the youth league is banned took that decision in their bedrooms and toilets.

"The ANC Youth League will never accept any individual who imposes a ban on them.

Those who suffer from a syndrome of learnt helpless will continue to undertake illegal, unpolitical and unprincipled decisions," said Mbalula.

He added that Malema's sin was to implement the views of the young people of South Africa, referring to the ANC's decision to expel Malema from the ANC.

A defiant Malema told the youth to be fearless and forge their way to a victory in Mangaung.

"I have never raped or killed anyone. I have also never stolen from anybody, not even pieces of chicken from the kitchen. I'm waiting for you "big head" to show me what I stole.

"All that I have I worked for it because I don't award tenders," Malema said.

Motlanthe avoided speaking about the soured relations between the ANC and the youth league.

"In the ANC nothing matters than unity," he said.

The youth league displayed a united front in the beginning but matters nearly got out of hand after ANCYL provincial treasurer Rudzani Ludere omitted the name of league national treasurer Pule Mabe during the introduction.

This was followed by grumbles from the crowd who were worried about the omission.

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