Nationalisation of mines in SA on ANC's agenda, says Youth League

Despite assurances from the ANC that the nationalisation of mines is not part of the ANC's plans, South Africa's ruling party's Youth League leader, Julius Malema, says it is.

According to the Mail & Guardian despite official denials from the ANC, Malema says: "The reality of the situation is that the nationalisation of mines is currently on the agenda of the ANC."

"Our struggle now is for the economic emancipation and the nationalisation of mines. The ANCYL is unashamedly on the forefront of the campaign to make sure that mines in South Africa is nationalised for the benefit of the people of South Africa."

The controversial Youth League leader has recently been to Zimbabwe and Venezuela on fact finding missions.

The Mail & Guardian reports Malema saying: "The people of Venezuela benefit from the state's ownership and control of oil resources. Yet in SA, we have the world's biggest reserves for platinum, gold, chrome and manganese, and many other important minerals, yet the majority of us have never even seen how the minerals look like."

Malema said he "can't understand" why he was rebuked about his statements on Zimbabwe, as the views expressed were not his, but those of the Youth League. The outspoken leader has come under fire recently for what was deemed hate speech and banned from singing a song calling for the killing of the boers (white farmers), and the ANC began disciplinary hearings on Monday into Malema's actions, which were adjourned to this coming week.