JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South African President  Jacob Zuma yesterday told the head of the ANC youth wing, who  has stirred controversy with a series of racially tinged  outbursts, that he must obey the ruling party’s discipline.

Youth leader Julius Malema has angered critics with his  calls for nationalisation of South Africa’s mines and backing  for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. This week he ejected a  white journalist from a news conference with a barrage of racial  abuse. Zuma castigated Malema on issues ranging from Zimbabwe,  treatment of the media and his refusal to stop singing a song  containing the words “Kill the Boer” that has been banned by the  courts.

Zuma said Malema’s conduct and statements were totally alien  to the culture of the African National Congress.

“The ANC Youth League is not an independent body. It exists  within the umbrella policy and discipline of the ANC,” Zuma told  a media briefing in Durban.

Malema has no policy-making role but has become prominent  through his racial rhetoric and has a loyal following within the  ANC Youth League and among some black South Africans who feel  the end of apartheid should have delivered more.

Zuma rejected Malema’s comments that the Youth League would  support President Robert Mugabe to win the next elections in  Zimbabwe, where Zuma has been trying to mediate an end to a  ruinous political crisis.

“We cannot and will not side with any one of the parties to  the exclusion of others,” Zuma said, adding that he would  continue to facilitate a resolution in Zimbabwe and to treat all  parties with respect.

The ANC had already told Malema, 29, to avoid inflammatory  language after the murder of white supremacist Eugene  Terre’blanche stoked racial tensions. But Malema made clear on  Thursday he would not be silenced.  “We reiterate that leaders should think before they speak,  as their utterances have wider implications for the country,”  Zuma said, adding that Malema should respect the high court  ruling banning the “Kill the Boer” song.