In the next two months or so, supporters of troubled ANC Youth League President Julius Malema will, if they so like, don a "Juju" line of clothing.

There will be caps, T-shirts and other items simply branded "Juju" in the clothing market.

That is if fashion designer Obakeng Ramabodu of OB Fitted succeeds, as he claims he will, to procure the manufacture of the clothing in China and their shipping in South Africa.

The decision to manufacture a Juju line of clothing abroad is politically and economically controversial.

It is economically controversial for two reasons.

Firstly, the political elites and labour movement have for some time been urging local procurement of goods and services to save existing jobs in the declining textile industry.

The industry is the casualty of cheap imports from China.

Secondly, the mere fact that there will be such clothing available on the market raises the spectre of politically motivated brands in the marketplace.

In itself it is not a bad idea. We live in an open society. Ramabodu is perfectly entitled to exercise his right to put on the market his clothing range of choice. And consumers will be perfectly entitled to wear them.

It is politically controversial because it will be part of a pro-Malema strategy, popularised by Jacob Zuma's supporters who used T-shirts to defend a legally troubled Zuma at the time.

Though the idea doesn't need, nor does it have his blessings, it will certainly help Malema prop up his image in the face of a suspension or expulsion from the ruling party.