Is ANC Youth League President Julius Malema, whose antics and outspokenness have aroused controversy for many months now, finally doing demonstrable harm to the ANC cause? In the Western cape, at least, it appears so. Malema has served as a lightning rod virtually since his ascent to national prominence. Now it appears that his controversial ways might have reached their tipping point.
The ANC knows that The Congress of the People (COPE) is not going away. It does not want to have to confront a consistent problem in the form of an out-of-control Malema hurting the party cause by casting doubt on its seriousness or inclusiveness. At the same time, the Youth League believes that the ANC owes some of its successes to the ANC-YL's newly vibrant, aggressive approach to national politics. It is unlikely to allow itself to be pushed aside. This toothpaste will not easily go back in the tube. The ANC played with the fire that is Youth League volatility. It might just find that the fire can burn both ways.
