Alex Matlala

The ANC Youth League campaign in Limpopo to gather support from other provinces for its general secretary, Julius Malema, as the league's next president is gaining momentum.

Six provinces, which met in Johannesburg yesterday, have thrown their weight behind Malema.

The secret meeting comprised senior officials of the league from the nine provinces.

Sowetan is in possession of a message from a senior ANCYL official who was part of the meeting yesterday.

The meeting was aimed at charting the way forward for the youth league prior to its elective conference next month.

The league will hold its national conference from April 2 to 6 in Mangaung, Bloemfontein.

Provinces that support Malema as future president are Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape.

Malema also enjoyed support from certain regions in North West.

Zizi Kodwa, spokesman for the youth league, would neither confirm nor deny the meeting.

"The organisation will only reveal the names of the nominees at the conference next month," he said.

Malema moved into politics at the age of 14 through the Mashupatsela programme of the ANC as a young pioneer.

A few years later, he ascended to positions of responsibility as secretary and chairman of Cosas in Limpopo.

Malema is at present studying towards a communications degree through the University of South Africa.

But critics in his home town have described him as disrespectful and big-headed.

"His tireless work and dedication in the liberation struggle catapulted him to the position of Cosas president within a short time," said Joshua Matlou recently.

"He has demonstrated he is credible, mature, vibrant, militant and a dynamic youth leader," Matlou said.