"If you think you are right, pursue the argument correctly within the proper structures," he said, without mentioning the possible expulsion of ANC Youth League president Julius Malema.

He told delegates at the National Union of Metalworkers of SA's national political commission that it was normal for the youth to be militant.

However, the ANCYL was a part of the ANC, and not a separate entity.

It should present ideas to the ANC itself and within ANC structures, realising that unless the proposal was accepted it was not ANC policy.

"You can make the noise 24 hours, the whole year, it doesn't change the path of history," he said.

Zuma said he was once a militant youth league member and had been part of a plan to descend on Durban's old Smith and West Street to kill white people.

At the last minute, the youths behind the plan informed an ANC leader of their intentions.

"We are going to butcher them... And the leaders will come and lead the revolution," Zuma recalled.

However, the youths got such a tongue-lashing they slunk away and abandoned their plan. People made mistakes.

"If they don't make mistakes they are not the youth," he said.

Youths were vocal because of the problems the country faced.

"But they must be disciplined," Zuma said.