Gender rights activists have slammed African National Congress Youth League leader Julius Malema after he claimed on Thursday, there was no such thing as a hermaphrodite.

He said that is because there is no word for hermaphrodite in the Pedi language.

"In Pedi there is nothing like that. When a child is born you announce him as a baby boy or baby girl. We have never heard in the village a child being projected; we are given a hermaphrodite," said Malema.

Malema was voicing his support for Athletics South Africa boss Leonard Chuene after he admitted lying about whether Caster Semenya had undergone a gender test.

"Really shocked and appalled by his ignorance. He clearly knows nothing about intersex and intersexed people," said Director of the Gender and Media Institute, Judith Smith.

Malema also threatened to lead action against Nedbank if it stops sponsoring Athletics South Africa.

The bank pulled sponsorship deals with ASA because it is not happy with the management of sporting events and Chuene's handling of the Semenya gender saga.

"Mr Malema obviously has his own opinions and I think he needs to talk to ASA and understand that this is all done transparently. We have done the right [thing]," said Nedbank?s Andy Scott.

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