Julius Malema: What next for South African opposition firebrand?

The sentence raises huge questions marks over the political future of one of South Africa's most controversial politicians.

Watch LiveBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveDocumentariesHomeNewsUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessWorld of BusinessTechnology of BusinessNYSE Opening BellTechnologyWatch DocumentariesArtificial IntelligenceIntelligence RevolutionAI v the MindHealthWatch DocumentariesCultureWatch DocumentariesFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsWatch DocumentariesArts in MotionTravelWatch DocumentariesDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthWatch DocumentariesScienceNatural WondersClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoWatch DocumentariesBBC MaestroDiscover the WorldLiveLive NewsLive SportDocumentariesHomeNewsSportBusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveDocumentariesWeatherNewslettersWatch LiveWhat next for South African opposition firebrand Malema after his five-year prison sentence?22 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleKhanyisile NgcoboJohannesburgGallo via Getty ImagesJulius Malema will probably lead his party into local elections despite the sentenceThe leader of one of South Africa's main opposition parties, Julius Malema, has been given a five-year prison term for unlawfully possessing a firearm and firing it in public, casting a huge question mark over his political career.

The 45 year-old leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is a fierce critic of what he sees as "Western imperialism" and advocates the nationalisation of white-owned land in South Africa to address the legacy of colonialism and the racist system of apartheid.

This rhetoric has won him many supporters, especially among South Africa's disenchanted youth but over the course of his political career, he has offended a wide range of people, from women's rights groups to white farmers and his own political bosses.

The EFF, also known locally as the red berets, are known for their signature red overalls worn by party leaders in parliament, meant to symbolise their affinity with South Africa's working class.

He has been convicted of hate speech multiple times and has been denied entry to the UK twice in the past year.