STEVEN BOYKEY SIDLEY: Julius Malema and the mystery of the missing mojo
'Malema’s voice and gestures grew more animated over the course of his address, but it was a victory of form over substance. There was simply nothing there'
About 18 months ago I saw Julius Malema address a sceptical crowd at Daily Maverick’s The Gathering at Vodacom World. My previous exposure to Malema had been minimal, and I was impressed. Here was an astute and ambitious young politician skilfully deploying the fiery oratory of leadership in the service of his cause. As I wrote at the time, he was incisive, funny, authoritative, scary and quick on his feet at question time. But alas, I saw something else at the recent The Gathering at the Sandton Convention Centre Julius Malema was given prime closing position at 17:30, joined on stage by the inimitable Richard Poplak, who had apparently been specifically requested by the Economic Freedom Fighters. Malema arrives on stage dressed and body-sculpted more like a GQ model than a politician; clearly somebody has been hard at work on his image over the last 18 months. His supporters, however (strategically clustered together in the large hall), continue with their now tired and embarrass...
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