The ANCYL is the creation of the ANC, not the other way round. Once expelled, Malema will be an outsider to ANC activities and will watch proceedings at Mangaung with binoculars. He will be far away from centre stage.

The ANCYL can only show support for Malema now, while the appeals process is still on. After that it is all over.

Not only is its decision wrong, it is also foolish. Should it tarnish its relations with the ANC, it risks becoming the youth league of COPE or the DA and will lose the credibility it had in the broad democratic movement.

The ANC has been patient with Malema, but he pours scorn on the leniency and avenues given to him.

He thinks he is better and bigger than anyone else in the ANC. In fact, he deems himself bigger than the ANC.

If the league was smart, it would elect another leader and focus on rebuilding its image instead of turning the organisation into a circus.