JOHANNESBURG - Supporters of former ANC Youth League (ANCYL) president Julius Malema could boo Zuma and embarrass him at the gathering.

Independent political analyst Elvis Masoga said: “Anything is possible. It’s upon the Limpopo ANC to make sure Zuma will not be cheered or heckled when he delivers the lecture.”

Masoga said the ANC’s choice for the lecture was very strategic as it is in a place where Malema enjoys significant support.  He also said the last five centenary lectures Zuma delivered across the country had been peaceful and incident free.

“Most ANC members  are becoming aware that there are dire consequences for behaving negatively at the gatherings Zuma is addressing,” Masoga said.

ANC Limpopo spokesman Makonde Mathivha said the party is not aware of rumours that Zuma could be booed and embarrassed.

“We are not aware of people spreading these malicious rumours. We have done all we can and we know people who will be in attendance. Security will be tight,” Mathivha said.

Zuma missed addressing the official Youth Day rally in Port Elizabeth last month. Instead he chose to go to a Group of 20 meeting in Mexico.

This was after concerns that a hostile crowd was expected to jeer him.

Meanwhile, the ANC in Limpopo has announced its support for Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe to take over from Zuma at the party’s elective conference in  Mangaung later this year.

Motlanthe appears to have substantial support in the province with two of the five regions recently having voting in his favour.

– ngwakom@citizen.co.za