African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) President Julius Malema has apologised to Education Minister Naledi Pandor for comments he made about her ”fake accent”.
In a copy of the letter addressed to Pandor, Malema said on Thursday: ”I acknowledge that the remarks I made against you were uncalled for and might have disappointed and hurt you.
”I write this letter to unconditionally apologise for those remarks.”
Malema’s apologies come a day after he addressed hordes of protesters at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) where he accused Pandor of not intervening in the teachers’ and later the students’ grievances with management.
”She must use her fake accent to address our problems,” Malema told the crowd who later became violent, throwing stones at police officers.
Malema’s comments were slammed by the ANC’s leadership who said they suggested a lack of respect and dignity for the individuals concerned.
”The ANCYL is entitled to express its own positions and views. However, this should be done within the norms and culture of the ANC,” said spokesperson Jesse Duarte on Wednesday afternoon.
”There can be no excuse for the kind of utterances attributed to Malema.”
In his letter, Malema said he visited the school to show the party’s support of the striking workers and teachers and because he was ”strongly convinced” that it was unjustifiable that the more than two-week-long strike had been allowed to continue.
”We were further concerned that many students had to be evicted from the institution, while some had not even finalised their registration process.”
Malema reassured Pandor that he and the ANCYL held her in high regard as a cadre, mother and minister.
He further honoured her for not joining the ”angry people” who resigned from Parliament after then-president Thabo Mbeki was ousted.
”You remained in the ANC and continued to serve the people of South Africa.
”Such decisions and steadfastness taught us a great lesson that in a democracy, once decisions are taken, the right to differ declines into insignificance, until such time where there is space for review.”
Malema went on to applaud Pandor for the many occasions that she had been a great teacher who expressed honest opinions and views even when they did not enjoy popular support.
”Once again, we assert our most sincere and unconditional apology to you and the ANC for what we accept to have been uncalled for remarks.
He said the league would continue to work with the ministry to resolve the TUT impasse which required a decisive decision.
ANC leaders and membership would also be informed of the apology, said Malema. — Sapa