Fire Starter: South Africa’s Julius Malema Speaks for the People

While fighting the cause, Malema makes headlines.

Julius Malema: Firestarter - Already known for being South Africa’s most outspoken activist, Julius Malema took his profile up a notch recently after he quickly aligned himself with the country’s disgruntled mine workers, stoking dissent and calling for a complete strike. As Malema’s influence reaches previously unknown heights, BET.com takes a look at some of the firebrand leader’s most recent exploits.  —Naeesa Aziz  (Photo: AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

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Julius Malema: Firestarter - Already known for being South Africa’s most outspoken activist, Julius Malema took his profile up a notch recently after he quickly aligned himself with the country’s disgruntled mine workers, stoking dissent and calling for a complete strike. As Malema’s influence reaches previously unknown heights, BET.com takes a look at some of the firebrand leader’s most recent exploits.  —Naeesa Aziz  (Photo: AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

ANC Roots - Malema formerly served as leader of the African National Congress Youth League, but he was ousted from the party for “bringing the party into disrepute and sowing division.” These accusations stemmed from his involvement in supporting the overthrow of the current government of neighboring Botswana and his public criticism of current South African president and ANC leader Jacob Zuma. (Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)

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ANC Roots - Malema formerly served as leader of the African National Congress Youth League, but he was ousted from the party for “bringing the party into disrepute and sowing division.” These accusations stemmed from his involvement in supporting the overthrow of the current government of neighboring Botswana and his public criticism of current South African president and ANC leader Jacob Zuma. (Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)

High Alert - On Sept. 12, the South African military was put on high alert for the first time since 1994 ahead of a speech scheduled to be delivered by Julius Malema to a group of disgruntled soldiers in Johannesburg. The soldiers were all suspended from duty over demand for higher wages.  (Photo: AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

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High Alert - On Sept. 12, the South African military was put on high alert for the first time since 1994 ahead of a speech scheduled to be delivered by Julius Malema to a group of disgruntled soldiers in Johannesburg. The soldiers were all suspended from duty over demand for higher wages.  (Photo: AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

Julius Malema Banned From Speaking to Miners - South African police blocked Julius Malema from addressing a crowd of nearly 3,000 striking mine workers at a stadium near the Marikana mine in South Africa. Wednesday it was announced striking platinum miners had accepted a new agreement and planned to return to work Thursday.  (Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)

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Ride or Die - When miners at South Africa’s Lonmin platinum mine staged a massive protest that turned deadly when police opened fire on the crowd, Malema jumped into action, encouraging miners not to concede defeat to the mining companies, and saying they should be ready to die for their cause.  (Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)

Platform for Politics - During a memorial for the 34 miners killed by police at the Lonmin mine, Malema stoked government discontent by highlighting the government’s role in the tragedy and calling for President Zuma's resignation. (Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko) 

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Platform for Politics - During a memorial for the 34 miners killed by police at the Lonmin mine, Malema stoked government discontent by highlighting the government’s role in the tragedy and calling for President Zuma's resignation. (Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko) 

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Only Malema Cares - Despite criticism of Malema, his attention was readily welcomed by miners who spoke favorably of the activist and slammed President Zuma’s efforts to diffuse the situation."Julius Malema is the only one who cares about us," miner representative Xolani Ndzuza said. "He spoke to us, and he is helping us." (Photo: Foto24 / Gallo Images / Getty Images)

No Exploitation - Malema received support for his efforts from Friends of the Youth League."These mineworkers are not fools, they are not lifeless bodies, they are not robots, these are breadwinners, fathers, brothers and family heads of many households and they know who can best represent their interests," Floyd Shivambu said in a statement issued by the Friends of the Youth League. Shivambu, former spokesman for the ANC Youth League, was also suspended from his post. (Photo: Flyod Shivambu/Facebook)

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No Exploitation - Malema received support for his efforts from Friends of the Youth League."These mineworkers are not fools, they are not lifeless bodies, they are not robots, these are breadwinners, fathers, brothers and family heads of many households and they know who can best represent their interests," Floyd Shivambu said in a statement issued by the Friends of the Youth League. Shivambu, former spokesman for the ANC Youth League, was also suspended from his post. (Photo: Flyod Shivambu/Facebook)

ANC Youth League Creates More Distance - Following Shivambu’s endorsement of Malema, the ANC Youth League made certain they created even more distance between themselves and Malema by rejecting ties to the Friends of the Youth League.   "The Friends of the Youth League are not our friends," deputy league president Ronald Lamola told reporters. "We, as the league, are not connected to them in any way and cannot be held accountable for their actions."  (Photo: AFP PHOTO / STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN)

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ANC Youth League Creates More Distance - Following Shivambu’s endorsement of Malema, the ANC Youth League made certain they created even more distance between themselves and Malema by rejecting ties to the Friends of the Youth League.   "The Friends of the Youth League are not our friends," deputy league president Ronald Lamola told reporters. "We, as the league, are not connected to them in any way and cannot be held accountable for their actions."  (Photo: AFP PHOTO / STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN)

"Nazi Tactics" - Although miners love Malema, not everyone feels the same."There is nothing new in his Nazi tactics of preying on the vulnerability of the poor and inventing a bogeymen for political ends," the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (NEHAWU) said in a statement. (Photo: REUTERS/Mike Hutchings)

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"Nazi Tactics" - Although miners love Malema, not everyone feels the same."There is nothing new in his Nazi tactics of preying on the vulnerability of the poor and inventing a bogeymen for political ends," the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (NEHAWU) said in a statement. (Photo: REUTERS/Mike Hutchings)

Banned by South African Broadcasting Corporation - In efforts to starve Malema of media attention, a labor union for the South African Broadcasting Corporation says its members have been banned from reporting on Malema’s activities any further."It has been reported to us by several of our members that they have been instructed to not report on any activities of the expelled ANC Youth League leader, Mr. Julius Malema," the Broadcasting, Electronic, Media and Allied Workers Union (BEMAWU) said.(Photo: Courtesy of Wikicommons)

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Banned by South African Broadcasting Corporation - In efforts to starve Malema of media attention, a labor union for the South African Broadcasting Corporation says its members have been banned from reporting on Malema’s activities any further."It has been reported to us by several of our members that they have been instructed to not report on any activities of the expelled ANC Youth League leader, Mr. Julius Malema," the Broadcasting, Electronic, Media and Allied Workers Union (BEMAWU) said.(Photo: Courtesy of Wikicommons)