Malema gets as good as he gave at chamber debate

Cape Town – A member of the Cape Chamber of Commerce tried to emulate the EFF's behaviour in Parliament during a debate between Julius Malema and scenario planner Clem Sunter on Friday night.

When Malema started his address someone shouted from the floor "point of order".

The firebrand leader laughed and replied "you not recognised" to loud claps and cheers from those attending the dinner and debate held at the Southern Sun, Cape Sun Hotel, in Cape Town.

Some also heckled Malema as he spoke about EFF policies on land expropriation, nationalisation and the economy.

While the EFF leader shared his views about state-owned entities, some shouted "SAA" and "out of order".

However, this did not deter Malema who continued with his address.

"We need a corrupt-free government which will deploy the best people to run state-owned institutions, not friends," he said.

The Malema, Sunter debate was called "Rumble in the Urban Jungle".

In a description of the event the Cape Chamber said it had organised the debate because it felt it was essential for business to come to terms with the different scenarios for the future and how they could affect both business opportunities and job creation.

"Both these men have very strong views on the future of South Africa and its faltering economy, so this is an interesting and exciting exchange you don’t want to miss.

"It will be a fair debate with no punches pulled and as little ducking and diving as possible," it said.

Sunter spoke about issues affecting South Africa and different scenarios the country could face.

Flags the country needed to watch, he said, were: corruption, the roll-out of infrastructure, pockets of influence which the rest of the country could learn from and making sure small businesses were able to thrive.

He said a million new businesses were needed to create five million jobs.

Each debater had 20 minutes to present his ideas.

At the end of his presentation, Malema addressed those who heckled him, saying he was fine with them shouting but "I don't raise comfortable things".

"I express myself anywhere, free, without any fear. I'm here to articulate EFF policy, like it or not."

Malema was well received at the Cape Chamber. Before the debate people lined up to meet the outspoken politician and take a photo with him.