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The ANC, in the form of national spokesperson Jackson Mthembu, has come out in defence of Julius Malema and President Zuma's claim that he is fit to be President. The ANC is of course welcome (and no doubt obliged) to defend Malema, but any pretence that such a defence is bolstered by hard evidence, as the ANC's press statement seems to suggest, borders on the delusional; if only because there is no evidence to that effect. Mr Mthembu statement is based on the premise that, because Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu were members of the ANCYL, Julius Malema is destined to follow in their footsteps. But the truth of the matter is that Julius Malema is an embarrassment. And, it doesn't matter who preceded him, he remains and embarrassment. More embarrassing still, is that he wields such influence in the ANC, that the likes of Mr Mthembu, years Malema's senior, are obliged to defend him. But this matter is easily resolved, let Julius Malema have a debate with me about the substantive issues facing South Africa (as opposed to who he would rather kill for and what he would next like to nationalise) and let the public decide if Mr Malema is really fit for public office. The debate would be properly moderated (as opposed to the rallies were Malema usually lets fly without any retort) on a series of key issues and each speaker would get a chance to make an opening statement, followed by a response and then an opportunity to rebut. One fears though that Mr Malema doesn't really do rational discussion or debate, and would probably fall apart if forced to comply with the requirements of a proper exchange of ideas. But let's see if he really is interested in debate and tolerance as the ANC claims.