South Africa’s Mines to Be Nationalized, Malema SaysNov. 27 (AP) South Africa’s mines will be nationalized, according to Julius Malema, president of the youth wing of the ruling Africa National Congress party.
The ANC Youth League will use its influence to push through nationalization in the same way it helped install Jacob Zuma as president, Malema, 28, told journalists in Johannesburg today.
“To those who say it’s never going to happen, it is going to happen, prepare yourself for that,” Malema said. “The ANC Youth League is very influential. We are gaining ground.”
The group will present a document backing nationalization to the general council of the ANC next year and a decision on timing will be taken in 2012, he said.
Malema, who often calls his opponents racist, has called for South Africa’s mines to be nationalized since July, even as the ANC leadership said it won’t pursue the matter. Malema wants the government to have more control over mining assets to spread wealth in the world’s biggest producer of platinum, chrome, vanadium and manganese.
Poor communities surrounding mines haven’t shared in profits made by the companies, Malema said today.
Malema’s calls for nationalization spurred a disagreement this week with South African Communist Party Deputy General Secretary Jeremy Cronin, a deputy transport minister, who said it wouldn’t solve the country’s economic problems. In retaliation, Malema called Cronin, who is white, a “white political messiah” representing “fake-left forces.”
Anglo American
Anglo American Plc, BHP Billiton Ltd. and Xstrata Plc are among companies that own assets in South Africa, the third- largest gold miner and the largest source of coal for European power plants.
On the subject of neighboring Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe should be succeeded by someone within his Zanu-PF party, Malema said, adding he won’t drop his backing of the party because it supported the ANC’s struggle against apartheid, which ended in 1994.
“New blood must come from Zanu-PF,” Malema said.
While Mugabe did well to educate Zimbabweans, it’s unfortunate he hasn’t realized his rule is “done” and that he should step down, Malema said. Zimbabwe’s ruler erred in his approach to land reform and his treatment of white minorities, he said.
Zuma won’t allow South Africa to follow Zimbabwe’s path, Malema said. South Africa’s new struggle is for “economic freedom” where business doesn’t remain dominated by white males, he said.
