I'm part of history, defiant Malema says
2011-11-10 23:07
Video
2011-11-11 07:54
ANC Youth leader Julius Malema remains defiant and has vowed to appeal his suspension. Watch his reaction to the five-year suspension. WATCH
Johannesburg - Defiant ANC Youth leader Julius Malema insisted on Thursday that he is part of the country's history, and "victory will be ours".
Just minutes after the ANC disciplinary committee had suspended him from the party for five years, Malema emerged from writing a political science exam at Unisa's Polokwane campus, and said he would appeal the sentence.
"I have made my contribution in this country. My name will be recorded in the history books of this country unless you want to teach people a distorted history.
"There's no way you will not mention this generation, a generation of fearless fighters," Malema told supporters, City Press' Xolani Mbanjwa
reported.
"The enemy will smile for these few minutes; victory is ours. Let the enemy enjoy, but that victory will not last. We are determined. We will be liberated by Mangaung 2012," he declared, surrounded by his close business and political associates,
"We won't apologise. The gloves are off. Let us confront them because their intention is very clear. They want to destroy the ANC Youth League. We must defend the ANCYL," he said to applause from his supporters, City Press said.
"The enemy will smile for these few minutes; victory is ours. Let the enemy enjoy, but that victory will not last. We are determined. We will be liberated by Mangaung 2012,” declared Malema, surrounded by his close business and political associates.
The firebrand leader criticised the hefty sentences meted out to him and league spokesperson Floyd Shivambu, referring to some leaders within the ANC as sellouts. Shivambu received a three year sentence.
Chris Hani's image
He said the punishment would be a deterrent to future youth league leaders who would be scared to challenge ANC policies and to propose “radical” strategies
"If the president of the youth league is suspended for five years, the next president of the youth league will not be as radical as the suspended president because he will be scared that if he also speaks in the interest of the poor and the youth he will also be suspended," said Malema, who wore a black youth league T-shirt with slain SACP leader Chris Hani's image, according to City Press.
He said ANC leaders threw them "out of our own home and that cannot be left unchallenged".
Malema and Shivambu can submit an appeal against their suspension to the national disciplinary appeals committee within 14 days.
Despite being ordered to vacate his position as league president in terms of his suspension, Malema remains the youth league leader while he appeals his sentence.
The ANC's national disciplinary committee chairperson, Derek Hanekom, confirmed that Malema is still an ANC member and ANCYL president for the duration of the appeals process, and until a decision has been made, Beeld reported.