Are they ready to let go of their individual egos?
If there's something to be learned by local politicians, it would be from ANC national chairperson, Gwede Mantashe, during a speech delivered at the ANC's 106th birthday celebration held at Elukwatini last week Saturday.
I was among the guests. The chairperson called upon the ANC Youth League to play a meaningful role in the organisation by keeping the mother body on tenterhooks, which could help lead the organisation on the right path.
He said today’s youth-league structures are more or less praise singers for senior leaders in the party, and that they should instead fight issues faced by the youth and correct the wrongs within the main structure, similar to the role played by the late Dr Nelson Mandela during his heyday as a youth-league leader.
What is evident about today’s members is their need for wealth, in terms of material gains from tenders which they monopolise as leaders. They drive flashy vehicles and live in luxury, while the rest of the youth live in poverty and are deprived of opportunities. It is a common sight for vulnerable youth to be supplied with liquor and hero worship their leaders, who in fact do not stand up for issues facing the youth. This was proven when President Jacob Zuma announced free education at tertiary institutions from 2018.
The youth league leaders could not explain the basis of it all. Some had no clue what it was all about. Yet, according to Mantashe, they were the ones who were supposed to press the presidency for free education.
It is a pity that in 2013 the youth league led by Julius Malema and Ronald Lamola, which introduced the demand for free education, disbanded. Among them emerged praise singers of senior party leaders, instead of being a pressure group within the movement. Another good message Mantashe delivered was about the busload of enthusiastic and ambitious chairpersons and deputy chairpersons in the provincial ANC structure, whose election will take place in April.
The battle is fierce for those positions. Among the candidates, there are some who are worthy for the position and some who are not. Most times it is prestige and greed that pushes them to aspire for such positions. Many as they are, suggests Mantashe, they should take their cue from the national conference. A meeting should be held to decide on the rightful leadership of the province in the long term, creating unity and peace in the province.
Are they ready to let go of their individual egos? Do they foresee any unity and peace prevailing in the province as a result of their hostility towards one another? The answer is a stern no. No matter what, they should take the fatherly advice and work as a unit.
