When criticism gets tough, Malema deflects issue

THROUGHOUT history, populism and populist leaders have been the bane of civilisation.

Their modus operandi is simple: brinkmanship or pushing the envelope. The result? Anarchy, subterfuge and countries teetering on the brink of civil war or with other countries.

The trouble with populist leaders is that we dismiss them as imbeciles sans political nous and we always pay a heavy price. British prime minister Neville Chamberlain flippantly dismissed Hitler as affable and harmless. We all know how that turned out.

Right on our doorstep, we have that stormy petrel of South African politics, Julius Malema, pictured, who revels in fanning the flames of whatever takes his fancy.

Currently, he has a choice of tasty morsels to chomp on – Indians, whites and that old chestnut, White Monopoly Capital.

Oh, and throw in the Fourth Estate for good measure. He is a shrewd operator who plays the political field expediently. Zuma and state capture? (Cue support for Gordhan, Jonas et al); White Monopoly Capital? (cue virulent attack on Johan Rupert et al).

Malema is intent on sowing the seeds of racial conflagration – all to sit at the head of the table. He doesn’t care if Idi Amin’s Uganda scenario plays out (Indians were forced to leave Uganda) or if whites leave the country in their droves. Sadly, his sycophantic and adoring supporters are mesmerised by his oratory invective and believe that every “pearl of wisdom” that drops from his mouth is gospel.

So why the volte-face about Gordhan (who Malema so enthusiastically supported when Zuma fired him)?

Simple. It’s an old political ploy – when it gets too hot in the political kitchen, turn the attention away from yourself.

Clinton did it in 1998 when we were all entranced by the lurid details of his affair with Monica Lewinsky. Impeachment beckoned. What did he do? He bombed Iraq under the pretext of constraining Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction.

The EFF (and in particular Malema and Shivambu) have their grubby fingers in the VBS pie. So what does Malema do? Divert attention to another convenient patsy – Gordhan and Indians in general.

After all, aren’t Indians Guptas (deceitful, racist, opportunistic, devious – you get the picture)?

Malema would never dare turn his baleful eye on our coloured population. They would “sommer moer” him! They have intimated as much.

As a South African Indian, I do feel we’ve taken “Satyagraha” (passive resistance) a bit too far. Fight back? Certainly. But let’s always take the high road.

VIJAY GOVENDER Harinagar Township