He's been dubbed a 'spoilt brat', a 'garden gnome' and the Grand Hero of the Opposition, but is the ANC's firebrand youth leader, Julius Malema, really costing the party votes? Hadlee Simons and Lindiwe Mlandu go head-to-head?

Hadlee Simons reckons that, although the educated minority writes Malema off as a waste of oxygen, the less-educated minority embraces his everyman-ness.

Julius Malema, the hero of the opposition? Pffft? no amount of sarcasm is able to cover up the fact that the masses love him. While former president Thabo Mbeki was deemed out of touch by virtue of his education alone, Julius Malema is seen as a man of the people.

Julius Malema's controversial rants on topics such as rape, the opposition and even fellow party members have done little to tarnish his reputation among ANC supporters ? in fact, they may have bolstered his standing in the view of the masses. Malema isn't afraid to express views that echo those of his contemporaries.

We all like to speak with conviction, saying that Julius Malema is a fool and that he will bring the ANC down ? but most of the people reading this are in the minority. Therefore, you have no idea what the majority wants.

Contrary to what the minority thinks, Julius Malema enjoys strong support under almost all circumstances. Even if he were to pull a Carl Niehaus and admit to fraud, the ANC would hardly be dented.

"Surely the majority know what a lunatic this man is", I hear you ask. Well, once again, you're in the minority. Julius Malema is a person every poor, uneducated man and woman can relate to ? and he knows this.

As for the undecided voters, Julius Malema wouldn't be to blame for them skipping the ANC in favour of the opposition. You have party president Jacob Zuma and senior politicians to thank for that, due to their *ahem* escapades.

Ultimately, Julius Malema won't cause the ANC to lose votes ? senior politicians and their penchant for corruption and bending the law will. There are very few members in the party who can capture the youth's attention like Julius Malema ? an important demographic in any country.

And the fact remains that while other ANC members shy away from the tough questions, Julius Malema is there to give an answer.

Lindiwe Mlandu reckons that Malema, who has offended many with his un-African manners, is like poison eating away at the ANC's votes.

Julius Malema is a little poison that is eating away at the ANC. Since his election to the position of the ANCYL president he has been caught on a number of occasions with his feet in his mouth. This makes you wonder what possessed the youth league to elect him in the first place? or did he threaten to shoot and kill them if they voted otherwise?

It is natural that we expect our leaders to be intelligent, kind and full of wisdom. Malema he has not shown any of these qualities. Now, who would like to be led by an impulsive, disrespectful "garden gnome"?

A prominent columnist once tried to explain Malema's behaviour by saying that Malema belonged to the 'Young Lions' ? a group that grew up in the 80s and were prepared to die for freedom and democracy. They believed in the 'liberation now, education later' creed. Well, liberation has long since been won.

The ANC decreed that all South Africans should live in a fair and democratic society and yet Malema attacks anyone who has a negative opinion about his party. Malema has been great for the opposition parties in the last few months ? he has done everything in his power to drive voters away from his party.

Let us bring culture into the debate. In African culture you have to respect your elders regardless of whether they are right or wrong. Many voters and people from the ANC were brought up on these values and raise their children the same way. Malema has alienated those who hold these values dear. No self-respecting African would embrace someone who 'lacks' respect.

Thabo Mbeki's removal from office was painful to his loyalists, but the fact that it was announced by Malema before the decision was even made public, infuriated them even more. Mbeki was their leader, they respected him and to see Malema humiliate him like that was unbearable.

The formation of Cope was just what the doctor ordered. They could not belong in the same organisation as that "spoilt brat". They had no choice but to look for other political homes.

The South African youth that Malema claims to represent seems to be left without a leader because, if their leader is not talking about women who had a "nice time" or attacking Joe Seremane for exercising his right by belonging to a party of his choice, then he is attacking Naledi Pandor for her "fake accent".

The youth has challenges and they need a leader who has the time to address those challenges. It looks like Malema has forgotten his responsibilities. So, what will stop these young people from looking elsewhere?

Come Election Day, the ANC will see just how much Julius Malema has cost them with his mediocrity.

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