Both men - whose political fortunes became intertwined in the run-up to the ANC's Polokwane conference in 2007 - know full well that the outcome of Malema's disciplinary hearing will set the political agenda of the ANC until the party's elective conference in December next year.

Until now Zuma has resisted smacking down Malema, even though the opportunities to do so have been plentiful. Left unchecked, Malema's ill-disciplined utterances - some directly aimed at undermining the Zuma presidency - have grown in scope and power.

In many aspects, the relationship between Zuma and Malema can be viewed symbolically as that of father and son - in this instance, a father too afraid to deal decisively with a disobedient son for fear of exposing his own weaknesses.

Zuma has lost his authority as the senior partner in this contentious, complex and originally symbiotic relationship.

That ANC Youth League branches from across the country are gathering to march on Luthuli House in support of their leader, and in opposition to Zuma and his party, says everything about the president's loss of power and Malema's concomitant rise in influence.

What happens on the streets this week, and the outcome of Malema's hearing, will determine Zuma's future and security as ANC president. This must be viewed, of course, in the context of a president whose term in office has been marked by an increasing lack of authority and decisive action.

It is certain that many senior ANC members are watching from the sidelines, waiting for Zuma to falter while dealing with his ill-disciplined son.

If Malema survives this week, it will send a powerful signal that the man from Nkandla is unlikely to emerge the victor at Mangaung.