“I have lived poverty.”

Earlier this week it was reported that Julius Malema was building a R16 million home for himself. And, as if shopping for the right furniture to put inside it isn’t stressful already, he now has to put up with cocky journalists asking him where the money came from. Especially if the answer seems pretty obvious: “It’s a private matter. I’m not a public servant.”

Speaking at a recent press conference to both educate the media and to show his support for Orlando Pirates, Malema said his finances were no-one else’s business.

Where do I get money to build such a mansion, within a short space of time? It’s none of your business. You must mind your own business.

With regards to business, yes I do business.  And I’m not going to tell you what business am I doing. It’s a private matter. I’m not a public servant. I’m not a public representative. Our people don’t care about our money… Because we are part of them. Unlike you, we don’t read about poverty. We have lived poverty. We are part of the struggle.We are part of the pain our people are going through… It is not about the type of shoes we wear. That is petty!”

[Source: MG]