The African National Congress Youth League is not concerned by the possible formation of a ”right-wing” political party by disgruntled ANC members, its president Julius Malema said on Thursday.
”The possible formation of the political party by Ntate Lekota and Mluleki George, who think they are anointed born leaders will represent nothing but narrow right-wing opportunism of people who want to express bitterness, self-enrichment and disrespect of organisation principles,” he said.
Malema was addressing a media briefing in Woodmead, Johannesburg, a day after former defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota mentioned the possibility of forming a new political party which might contest the 2009 general election.
Lekota said on Wednesday he planned to put together a ‘congress†within a few weeks where the name and policies of the new party would be decided upon.
Lekota refused to say whether any other prominent names have aligned themselves with his new formation, stating ‘we don’t need prominent people, we need people and the population of the countryâ€.
The new formation will be formalised once people in all provinces have been consulted, he said.
Former Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa, who resigned in protest to the way former president Thabo Mbeki was ousted, is rumoured to have been approached by the organisers of the party, but he has denied involvement.
This party would contest the elections in 2009 and hopes to draw votes from the ANC, which could threaten the ruling party’s two-thirds majority.
Confident
Asked if he was not concerned about dwindling voter numbers, Malema said the ANC was confident of its membership.
”Supporters of the ANC will never vote for that party or any other party because if they are angry they don’t vote at all.”
On the issue of Lekota failing to attend a scheduled meeting with the ANC national executive committee on Thursday, Malema said: ”This is arrogance and disrespect of the ANC leadership.
Party spokesperson Jessie Duarte said the ANC delegation, led by the treasurer general, Mathews Phosa, had waited from 10am for the the pre-arranged meeting.
The ANC said earlier it wished ”to place on record” that fact that Lekota did not turn up at the meeting, which, the party said, had been ”confirmed telephonically”.
Lekota insisted on Wednesday that the ‘majority†of South Africans would not continue to support the ANC that had ‘abandoned principles like equality before the lawâ€.
‘Let it be the people of South Africa to choose whether they want to go with the Malemas of this world,†he said. – Sapa