South African government illegally blocked Dalai Lama visit

The BBC have revealed that a court has ruled that the South African government have acted unlawfully in failing to grant the Dalai Lama a visa for a planned visit next year. The esteemed leader was forced to cancel plans to see Archbishop Desmond Tutu on his 80^th birthday. Coming from the country that gave birth to none other than Nelson Mandela, this sends out a disastrous message and that is that we are more willing to streamline our relationship with the Chinese than stand up for the values that this country was built upon. Now the SA government may deny it has bowed to pressure from the Chinese but it certainly seems that way given the ongoing business links on the continent that China continues to maintain…

Original article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20539844

Malema and Lamola – the gloves are off!

Ronald Lamola’s switching of allegiance to the Zuma camp has provoked a venomous reply from Julius Malema who described the ANCYL leader as a traitor and a sell-out. Although Lamola has yet to respond, ANCYL spokesperson Khusela Sangoni-Khawe made a lengthy response to the remarks, saying that Malema should be ashamed of the leadership qualities he has shown and of the poor example he sets to millions of young people across the country and beyond. Sensing the discord in the league at present, former spin-doctor and national executive committee member Floyd Shivhambu has called for an end to hostilities and for Malema and Lamola to reconcile their differences.

Original article: http://mg.co.za/article/2012-11-28-ancyl-malemas-bloodcurdling-remarks-not-worthy-of-a-leader

Youth League crumbling from within…

Two ANCYL leaders have revealed the growing rifts within the league, just hours after the group’s spokesperson criticised Malema for calling Ronald Lamola a sell-out and a traitor. Mpumalanga ANCYL chairman Kgotso Motloung has stated that Malema is not a member of the league and cannot match the credentials of Lamola, while Northern Cape ANCYL chairman Shadrack Tlhaole stated the opposite, that “our leaders are killing the strength that the league had under the leadership of Malema”.

Original article: http://www.citizen.co.za/citizen/content/en/citizen/local-news?oid=361105&sn=Detail&pid=40&Cracks-begin-to-appear-in--ANC-Youth-League-

Malema losing appeal in Zimbabwe

I’ve just read an All Africa article from back in October – apparently Julius Malema travelled to Zimbabwe during that month to visit Mugabe and the ZANU-PF. In his own words, he “met with the progressive forces of Zimbabwe”. The article mentions how his poor image is having a negative effect abroad; apparently he found himself “cutting a lone figure in Harare”, rejected by elements in the ZANU-PF who have clocked on  to the controversies surrounding the man at present.

This is the same case with the Zimbabwean youth. He has failed in recent years to arouse any sort of interest in his ramblings from Zimbabwe and his success here is nowhere near what we have seen in South Africa. His old charm must be wearing off. Either that, or Zimbabwe’s young population are sick and tired of being told who is wrong and who is right, when it’s plainly obvious to see for themselves.

During his visit, the press reported him going to a wedding and to an “upmarket nightclub” – hardly the business of a politician, or maybe no-one from ZANU-PF wanted to be seen with him. His visit was perhaps encapsulated by his bodyguards who “delivered blows” to two journalists for asking too many questions and taking pictures. All in all, not a good day for the Malema PR team I think.

Original article: http://allafrica.com/stories/201210260032.html