Move over ‘geriatrics’, younger ANC leaders have earned their stripes

Political analyst Dr Oscar van Heerden says the ANC should be led by a younger generation if the party is to survive politically.

According to Van Heerden, the ANC has within its ranks competent leaders who are better equipped to steer the party out of its current storm.

WATCH: Izak du Plessis talks to political analyst Oscar van Heerden about Lindiwe Sisulu’s chances of winning the ANC presidential race

“I am thinking of leaders like David Makhura, Ronald Lamola, Andries Nel, Cassel Mathale and Fébé Potgieter-Gqubule. Let them fill the shoes of the older leaders,” Van Heerden says.

This follows the news that Minister of Tourism Lindiwe Sisulu will be opposing President Cyril Ramaphosa as president of the ANC at the party’s national conference in December.

Van Heerden says he is not entirely sure that Sisulu has the necessary support in the ANC to be successful in her bid to oust Ramaphosa – even though she is one of the longest serving NEC members.

Van Heerden disagrees with analysts who say that Sisulu is representing the radical economic transformation-faction in the ANC.

“She simply has a desire to lead the party in one or other capacity, something that has been well known for quite some time. She even put her name in the hat at the national conference of 2017,” he says.

“However, like most other hopefuls whose names have been mentioned as possible contenders in the leadership race, she is too old. It is time for another generation to step forward.”

According to Van Heerden, people like Makhura, Nel and Lamola are senior members of the ANC who are young enough to steer the party away from becoming stuck in its identity as a freedom party.

He says he would like to see people like Makhura and Lamola succeeding Ramaphosa after the national conference. “We shouldn’t be afraid to elect young people, because they will step up to the plate.”