http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE7440LL20110505Seems...

http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE7440LL20110505

Seems like new age politicians want their land back....somewhat alarming

"PRETORIA (Reuters) - Influential South African ANC youth leader Julius Malema called for a mass seizure of land and nationalisation of major industries, challenging the ruling party's line and a move likely to alarm investors.

Malema, head of the African National Congress's Youth League, is one of the best-known politicians in the country with ANC leaders using the populist firebrand to whip up support for the party among millions of unemployed youth.

"We should transfer the ownership of the land over to the state," Malema told a news conference on Thursday.

ANC leadership, worried about scaring off foreign investors in Africa's largest economy, have deflected most of Malema's ideas but could find themselves forced to be more receptive if the party fares poorly in local elections on May 18.

Malema has been able to keep the idea of nationalising mines in the resource-rich state on the ANC's policy agenda even though the mining minister has voiced her opposition and economists saying it could cost hundreds of billions of dollars.

Malema's drive for nationalisation of the country's giant mines has unnerved investors in the world's No. 4 gold producer and his militant speeches nearly 17 years after the end of apartheid have scared many white South Africans.

He also called for requiring that minerals be refined in South Africa before going abroad, which could add impetus to the government's costly plans for processing plants and smelters."