Malema is said to be making himself politically relevant and to be scoring cheap political points. He is viewed as an anarchist and an opportunist. However, it is an undisputed fact that Malema plays a critical role left vacant by the unions, community activists and politicians.

He and the Friends of the Youth League have helped the mineworkers to open murder and attempted murder cases against the police.

He secured legal representation for the 270 incarcerated mineworkers.

It is Malema who is ensuring that the families and comrades of the jailed ones are kept informed about developments in court.

He was first to refer to the charges of murder against the mineworkers under the common purpose law as madness. What have the NUM, Amcu or Cosatu done for the striking miners? Where are the credible leaders, especially the union leaders?

This begs the question: When will the " working class vanguard", the SA Communist Party, speak out against the Marikana massacre ?