South Africa's fiery young politician Julius Malema told
a rally of his new party on Sunday that a "giant" has been born which
should be feared and will fight for the poor.
Thousands had gathered near the Marikana mine
where 34 striking workers were shot dead by police last year to cheer
the 32-year-old leader and his newly-formed Economic Freedom Fighters
party.
"A different baby is born today, a giant... A
child that walks immediately. The baby that fights for your living
wage," Mr Malema said.
"You must be afraid of that child," he warned, wearing his trademark red beret. "This is the home for the hopeless."
The former leader of the African National
Congress' youth league was expelled from the ruling party for ill
discipline last year.
He once again called for the expropriation of
white land owners and lashed out at President Jacob Zuma and the ANC,
which he intends to take on in polls next year.
Mr Malema describes his EFF as "radical left,
anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist" but the firebrand is also known
for his extravagant lifestyle and is currently fighting fraud and tax
evasion chargesSOURCE: AFRICA REVIEW
