ANC Youth League president Julius Malema surprised all and sundry when he spoke fondly of former South African president Thabo Mbeki, in what appears to be a sucker punch to President Jacob Zuma

Malema was delivering a keynote address at the conclusion of the league's Limpopo provincial general council at the Jack Botes Hall in Polokwane yesterday.

Malema, who has in the past lashed out at Mbeki, changed his tune when he referred to the former statesman as the "best" cadre to have been produced by the ANC.

"Mbeki is the best leader the ANC has ever produced," Malema said.

"There are those who hated him with a passion but forgetting that Mbeki, during his leadership, had produced a two-thirds majority during elections," he said.

"Those who hate Mbeki are jealous of his achievements. He was the most educated and clever.

"The only problem about Mbeki was to fail to allow the leadership of the ANC to decide on who they wanted in the leadership, and for wanting a third term in leading the organisation. Apart from that he was the best and I respect him for that," he said.

The firebrand youth leader also received a boost ahead of the league's national conference scheduled to take place in two weeks' time when the Limpopo delegates pronounced that they would support him for a second term as president. Malema is being challenged for the position by the league's Gauteng chairperson, Lebogang Maile.

"We are aware that there are meetings taking place at the night, where people are discussing issues of disrupting our conference at Gallagher Estate. We are not scared of anyone," he said.

"We are also aware of those whom we brought into power but are now plotting our downfall. They also use state machinery to fight us. We are not scared but fearless," he said without mentioning names but apparently in reference to President Jacob Zuma.

Malema added that the league had grown in leaps and bounds, saying it existed even in "racist" farms, townships and villages.

However, independent political analyst Elvis Masoga labelled Malema a political opportunist.

"Malema is fully aware that he must mobilise all Mbeki sympathisers ahead of the 2012 ANC national conference in order for them to be on an equal footing with those of Zuma," he said.

Masoga said Malema had been critical of Zuma's government and his leadership style to a point where "it is very clear that he will not support Zuma serving another term in the ANC".

"In the likelihood that Malema retains his position as the league's president, Zuma should expect to be contested in the ANC conference next year. But if Malema loses, the status quo will remain regarding the national leadership of the ANC."