Some youth league leaders, including suspended secretary Sindiso Magaqa, first formed a circle and then lead the crowd in song.

"Malema re rapedise rea e sokolela. Shawara ya re sokodisa," they sang in Sotho as residents gathered to hear Malema speak at Moroka High School.

The words translate as: "Malema pray for us we are suffering. The shower is giving us problems."

This was the same song sung by a group supporting Malema's close ally and ANC Limpopo chairman Cassel Mathale. He retained the post by a small margin at the party's provincial conference in Polokwane in December last year.

As in Limpopo, where the "shower man" song debuted, the Free State youth accompanied it with a gesture over their heads symbolising a shower. This was a reference to Zuma's rape trial in 2006, during which he said he took a shower after having unprotected sex with an HIV-positive woman.

Another song was in praise of ANC national executive member and Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula. The youth league wanted him to replace ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe at the party's elective conference in Bloemfontein in December.

"Thina sifuna uMbalula (We want Mbalula)," they sang.

Malema held his first "mini-rally" in Welkom on Thursday.

The rallies are convened as part of the celebrations of the ANC's centenary celebrations.

However, Malema would not have an opportunity to speak at the main event of the centenary celebrations on Sunday.