Malema is no fool but a foil in a complex political fight

It's tempting to write Julius Malema off as a buffoon, as Juju the Clown who couldn't even saw straight at woodwork.

Tempting and easy ... but wrong.

Malema is playing a role in an unfolding political drama within the powerful ANC. I do not believe he is doing it by himself, not do I believe his utterances are simply irrational naiveté.

He is playing the role of a foil in a complex and carefully controlled sword fight for the ideological soul of the party, and its future leadership.

Like Jacob Zuma, Malema is only a part player in this battle. Zuma was played as a convenient shield after Thabo Mbeki had been excised from the ANC's body politic.

Zuma was ideal for the role -- a popular figure in a heap of trouble who would happily sell his political soul for the promise of salvation.

The next move is now being played out, and this time the weapon of choice in the duel between the communists and the nationalists is Malema.

He is a good choice for a weapon. He'll shoot exactly where he is told to cut, and he doesn't care whether or not his blows lack any form of ideological integrity or logical coherence.

Quite what the endgame will be is still not clear (except possibly to those pulling the strings), but the intention certainly is -- position the communists as enemies of Africanism astride a horse that is about to be cut down at the knees.

The communists know Malema's danger only too well. They have watched him closely and searched for a weakness. In his secret trust fund and his penchant for high life, they have found one.

The next move is about to be made. For how long Malema continue to be used as the dueling sword? When will he be discarded, and what will be the next weapon of choice?

It will be a fascinating one. It may decide the future direction of South Africa for the next decade.