Since Julius Malema was elected President of the ANC Youth League in April 2008, he has clashed heads with just about every high-profile figure in South African politics.

In fact, the controversial soon-to-be-29-year-old has not even bothered to spare members of the ruling party.

We take a closer look at Malema's clashes with tripartite alliance top-dogs in an attempt to see who comes out on top: the people or Julius.

Malema vs Pandor

The ANCYL leader slammed Naledi Pandor for a perceived lack of action during a Tshwane University of Technology salary dispute back in February 2009.

Malema: "We've got a minister who's spending too much time using an American accent without assisting our people. That is the main problem. Let the minister use that fake accent to address our problems and not to behave like a spoilt minister."

While Pandor had little to say in response, in a rare show of something resembling discipline the ANC forced the firebrand leader to apologise to his elder.

Malema: "I acknowledge that the remarks I made against you were uncalled for and might have disappointed and hurt you. I write this letter to unconditionally apologise for those remarks."

Winner: No real action was taken against Malema, other than forcing him to sign an apology letter he has probably yet to read. Pandor, on the other hand, was effectively demoted, losing her post as minister of education and ending up in the relatively small-fry Ministry of Science and Technology.

Malema vs Cronin

In this instance, it was Malema's opponent who cast the first stone. South African Communist Party general secretary Jeremy Cronin criticised Malema and the league's call for nationalisation of the country's mines. Malema, as you would expect, did not take the remarks lying down.

Cronin: "I suspect that comrade Malema and others are missing this bigger systemic picture because when they speak of mineral beneficiation they are thinking of bling ... sorry, jewellery."

Julius hit back with a pearler.

Malema: "We do not need the permission of white political messiahs to think."

Malema then allegedly let his thumbs do the talking, sending a threatening SMS to Cronin: "If you thought you have taught me a lesson, wait until you see what is coming your direction."

A few not-so-succinctly-worded ANCYL press releases later, Cronin approached the media with the following:

Cronin: "It was a silly comment and I apologise. I had not realised that... Malema had such a delicate skin."

Winner: Cronin caved in and said sorry, and while the nationalisation of mines has yet to happen, leaders within the alliance are devoting more and more time to debates around the issue. Julius comes out on top here...

Malema vs Shabangu

Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu (well known for her "shoot the bastards" comment back when she was in the police ministry) recently responded to increased reporting on Malema's nationalisation fetish.

Shabangu: "In my lifetime, there'll be no nationalisation. Maybe when I'm dead, and rest assured I'm not dying next week.

Malema: "If these are really the views of the minister, she is disingenuous, dishonest and does not understand the African National Congress. In our internal discussion with Minister Shabangu, she said that she does not disagree with the ANC Youth League, but because she is now trying to impress imperialists, she changes her tone."

Winner: Neither individual is likely to give an inch... this one's yet to be decided.

Click through to page two for Malema's duels with three other high-profile politicians...