Julius Malema strikes a chord in South Africa townships

Julius Malema says the ANC needs a "wake-up call"

A dozen schoolchildren in blue and white uniforms beat their drums earnestly as they escorted Julius Malema's van down a dirt road and into the impoverished township of Itireleng on a hillside outside Pretoria.

Within seconds, a mood of almost giddy excitement seemed to ripple through the crowd of perhaps 500 people who had gathered on a dusty football pitch in the hot afternoon sun to listen to South Africa's most divisive, boisterous politician make his election campaign pitch.

An aide in a red beret - the catchy trademark of Mr Malema's party, the Economic Freedom Fighters - helped to haul the "Commander-In-Chief's" substantial frame on to the back of a truck, where two loudspeakers were already positioned in front of the crowd.

Mr Malema is 33 and rarely out of the headlines here - a contradictory figure who provokes strong reactions.

Today, Mr Malema - who faces fraud and racketeering charges as well as bankruptcy stemming from a tax investigation - was wearing his usual man-of-the-people jeans, offset by grey Louis Vuitton shoes, a Burberry shirt, Ferrari jacket and of course his own EFF beret.

South Africa's President, Jacob Zuma, can thrill a crowd with his singing, dancing, and isiZulu wisecracks. But no-one can quite match Mr Malema for his mesmerising blend of thunder and comedy.