ANC Youth League president Julius Malema launched a stinging attack on Cosatu secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi on Friday night, saying the trade unionist must be cut down to size.
“The man must be put where he belongs,” he told a fundraiser in Franschhoek that forms part of the youth league’s 66th birthday celebrations.
His broadside was fuelled by Vavi’s criticism of the lavish lifestyle of businessman Kenny Kunene.
“The workers have no interest in whether a young man throws a party or not. They’re working in mines underground in difficult conditions.
“Helen Zille no longer has a job to do because a union leader is doing the job for her. It is opposition from within casting doubt on the credibility of his people’s government.”
Malema said there was no shame in being a black capitalist.
“They want you to remain poor and die poor, and once you’ve died poor people will see that there is no need to join this organisation.
“We have no reason to apologise. We are young. We will never apologise for partying. It is our responsibility.”
Nationalisation
Malema reiterated a call for the state to control 60% of South Africa’s mining resources.
He said those who objected to nationalisation were merely defending the interests of the Rupert family.
“When people say you are scaring investors they are just referring to one family in Stellenbosch. They call it investors but it’s just one family.”
Malema said the private sector need not fear plans to redistribute wealth.
“Forty percent will remain in private hands. We appreciate the role of private business people. You will still get something.”
He was addressing a handful of local business people in the Western Cape hamlet.
Guests paid R10 000 a table to attend the event — which started about three hours late — according to ANC Western Cape organiser Millicent Tingwe.
It preceded an ANCYL rally in Stellenbosch on Saturday where Malema and President Jacob Zuma were due to share the stage. – Sapa