People have an agenda against President Jacob Zuma to make sure there that is a "gap" between him and the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL), league president Julius Malema said in Polokwane on Sunday.

"There's an agenda, there are people who are working day and night to make sure there's a gap between you and the youth league," Malema said at the Peter Mokaba memorial rally, in the presence of President Jacob Zuma.

"We have seen the latest report, they are nothing, you are the President, you must never be demoralised by petty things," he said, referring to recent reports indicating that one of Zuma's wives, Nompumelelo, had been having extra-marital affairs.

"The more they write very bad about President Zuma, the more we will remain behind him. If you want to destroy the President, write very good about him.

"Zuma is President today, tomorrow, and beyond 2012," he said to chants of his nickname, "Juju, Juju", and blasts of vuvuzelas.

Zuma sat behind Malema and was flanked by ANC chairperson Baleka Mbete and the party's head of campaigns Fikile Mbalula.

He then returned to his nationalisation theme.

"We want the economy of South Africa to be in the hands of the people of South Africa. We want the mines of Sekhukhune to be owned by the people of Sekhukhune... we want the people of Waterberg to own that land."

Malema said this while a banner behind him read "nationalisation of mines in our life time".

"We want a return of what the white regime took from us. We will make sure that the demands of the Freedom Charter are realised," he said.

Malema said that there has been a serious infiltration of the youth movement.

"Our congresses are being disrupted. They want to wreck the ANC youth league because once the youth league is destroyed they know they will destroy the ANC, " he said.

Zuma, who spoke after Malema, steered clear of controversy. He instead urged the youth to take part in building up the country's economy.

He said that the league could help students get access to skills and internships.

"The ANC youth league must never abdicate its responsibility to create an environment where young people can extricate themselves from poverty and improve their lives," Zuma said.