I would die defending whites - Malema

2012-03-24 08:06

Pretoria - South Africa belongs to all who live it - was the message from suspended ANC Youth League president Julius Malema after receiving the Newsmaker of the Year 2011 award in Pretoria on Friday evening.

"You must never buy the story that we are anti-white and we want whites to be driven to the sea. This is your home, your country and it belongs to all of us," he said.

"I would die in defence of the white minority - they must enjoy the same rights as Africans. But when we say we must share, it doesn't mean we are fighting - we are actually protecting you," he said.

Malema praised the role played by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela in upholding democracy, saying she was in the ranks of "Charlotte Maxeke and Winnie Mandelas of this country".

"It doesn't matter if she investigates some of us. In the secret meetings when her integrity is attacked we are the first ones to defend her," said Malema.

"Public Protector, very soon I will be bringing a complaint to your office. The abuse of the state power - it looks like we are back to those years before Polokwane where those in power abused state institutions to further factional politics," said Malema.

Despite having turned down an earlier invitation to receive the award, Malema said he had not understood the importance of receiving the award.

"You cannot be awarded for being a revolutionary. There are no awards in a revolution, it doesn't matter who says what," said Malema.

He said the decision to honour the invite was taken after being advised about the possible death of the youth league.

Malema took a swipe at the NewAge newspaper for taking sides in "the factional politics of the ANC".

- SAPA