THE ANC Youth League is determined to transform the ANC into a genuine people’s movement, extending its focus beyond election periods, the newly elected President of the ANC Youth League, Collen Matjila, addressed delegates.
He promised that under his leadership, issues of the youth of the country will be vigorously championed. He also declared that “we have got our autonomy back”, after eight years since the league had hosted its conference and new leadership.
The Tembisa-born Malatji also told media on Monday that “the importance of returning to the basics and building robust grassroots structures that actively address the daily concerns of communities is a must.
Weak branches, he warned, result in a feeble connection with the people. He reiterated, “The role of branches is to tackle the complex issues faced by communities on a day-to-day basis.”
He emphasised that the Youth League aims to dispel the perception that the ANC solely caters to the affluent and elites.
Malatji has unequivocally stated that they will vigorously advocate for 50% youth representation in Parliament.
He asserted, “We are resolute in our stance and will not settle for anything less than 50% representation of young people in parliament and legislatures. Parliament should not be a retirement haven.
We will tap into the wisdom of the remaining 50% of older representatives. However, we don’t need 80% of them in parliament. If we achieve 70%, we will consider it a success. We need to be the majority since the future belongs to us. We cannot plan for 2050 when the agenda is devised by someone who will not be answerable in the future. We must take accountability for our own future, and this leadership is unapologetic about it.”
The ANC Youth League is determined to transform the ANC into a genuine people’s movement, extending its focus beyond election periods.
The new look ANC Youth League plans to develop a comprehensive action plan for the next four years. In the interim, league officials will meet with members from the Chris Hani region in the Eastern Cape, where allegations of voting irregularities arose.
Among those affected was Aphiwe Mkhangelwa, who lost the league presidency to former Congress of South African Students (COSAS) member Malatji.
President Malatji emphasised the need to put divisions behind them and unite in support of the elected leadership.
He said “Immediately after our National Executive Committee meeting, the Secretary General and I will visit the Eastern Cape to engage with the league’s leadership there and find common ground. We must unite and bring everyone on board because we need their participation.
We cannot lead alone, even those who may feel dissatisfied. We must reconcile and consolidate our efforts, especially considering the challenging elections ahead. Although the problem was localised to the Chris Hani region in the Eastern Cape, we, as leaders, have the responsibility to resolve complex issues and conflicts.”
Furthermore, the league’s National Executive Committee (NEC) recently announced its 40-member team, further solidifying the ANC Youth League’s renewed vigour and commitment to serving the aspirations and concerns of South Africa’s young generation.
Pres Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa delivered the closing message to the conference, held at Nasrec Expo Center, Jozi.
Newly elected members:
– President Collen Tlhologelo Malatji
Malatji, 30, was born in Tembisa in Gauteng and he has been an ANC MP since 2019. Aged 26, he was the youngest MP to join the house.
Malatji is also a former leader of Cosas in Gauteng where he rose to become its provincial secretary at some point. He joined Cosas when he was aged 13.
Malatji studied municipal governance at the University of Johannesburg and he is currently furthering his studies at Wits University.
He is expected to resign as an ANC MP in Parliament to take up his full time position as ANCYL president at the ANC’s Luthuli House headquarters.
– Deputy President Phumzile Mgcina
Mgcina, 32, hails from Utrecht, a small frigid farming town near Newcastle in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
She has become the first woman deputy president of the ANCYL.
According to the Sunday Tribune, in her late 20s, Mgcina was elected as a council speaker for Amajuba District Municipality which comprises Newcastle, Dannhauser and Emadlangeni municipalities.
She told the newspaper that her interest in politics developed when she realised that the lives of marginalised people from her town had not changed post-1994.
– Secretary General Mntuwoxolo Ngudle
Ngudle hails from the Eastern Cape. In his Facebook profile he describes himself as a social activist and a spokesperson to the Executive Mayor of O.R. Tambo District Municipality.
– First Deputy Secretary-General Tsakani Shiviti
Shiviti hails from Polokwane, Limpopo.
According to her Twitter profile, she serves as the treasurer general of the Southern African Students Union, a structure that represents all students in the SADC region.
– Second Deputy Secretary General Olga Seate
Seate hails from the mining town of Welkom in the Free State.
She describes herself on Facebook as a mother, student, friend, sister, leader, free-spirited, loving, bubbly and a person who enjoys good company.
She also said she is fascinated by politics and debates.
– Treasurer Zwelo Masilela
Masilela hails from Mbombela in Mpumalanga where he is active in the structures of the ANC.
In his Twitter profile, Masilela describes himself as a “Political Activist, Marxist, Writer, Bolshevik, Dad to my kids and Loving Husband to Slindo.”
Image (Newly elected ANC Youth League leaders who were voted in on Saturday at Nasrec, Jozi).
