| Distraught: Julius Malema |
South
Africa's ANC today suspended its controversial Youth League leader Julius
Malema after he was found guilty of provoking divisions within the ruling party
and bringing the party into disrepute.
The news has been greeted with
mixed feelings, some are happy that Malema is gone, at the same time hoping
that his ideas of nationalising South Africa's mines go with him, whilst others
see his suspension as nothing but a political move by President Zuma to counter
Malema's growing power.
I do not grieve for Malema but
neither do I rejoice- his ideas of nationalisation were not bad but the way he
put them forward left a lot to be desired. On top of that he was frequently
accused of racism, looting, insulting people and all sorts of unbecoming
behaviour for a leader.
Instead I weep for Africa's youth
and how they are being pulled down every time they try to ascend the ladders of
power. It is very unfortunate that African youths are being deprived of leadership
opportunities- ironically by people who liberated countries when they were
youths!
Malema's case is just the latest in
a long history of powerful leaders clipping the wings of those they viewed as
threats. It has happened all over Africa, young people have risen against
oppressive governments and systems only for them to cling to their positions in
the name of defending the revolution.
The likes of Gaddafi, Nkrumah and
others who were "deposed" by the West were also responsible for their
own downfalls. However well one rules, however prosperous a nation is,
leadership needs to be changed for the good of the nation and promotion of democracy.
The inability of African
revolutionary parties to accept this naked truth will no doubt prove to be
their undoing. The death of revolutionary parties is inextricably linked to
their reluctance to accept change.
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