Additional Members

We, the ANC youth League are once more confronted with a task of developing a perspective on the type of leadership currently required by our region. Recognising that the ANCYL is structurally part of the ANC, it is expected of us to have an influence on critical organisational aspects including the leadership question. In this case, the African National Congress Youth League Regional Executive Committee (ANCYL REC) has the responsibility to provide leadership and to guide the league in so far as the leadership debate is concerned. Furthermore, As outlined on the ANC Youth League Basic Policy Document -1948 " one of the four aims of the ANCYL is to that of giving force, direction, and vigour to the struggle for African National Freedom, by assisting, supporting and reinforcing the National Movement - ANC;

This document seeks to conceptualize ANCYL engagements towards the ANC regional congress, it seeks to establish and foster greater political debates on the conditions existing in our region. This is against the apparent lack of a sharp and in depth political discussion at the level of the ANC in this region. It is our belief that this document will provide a platform not only to ANCYL structures but the entire congress movement to begin to discuss and ultimately re-discover the ANC outlook towards centenary and beyond.

Over the 99 years of existence, the ANC has continued to evolve as a fighting force for mass mobilization, has continued to be the trusted force to deliver on the vision of non racial, non sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa. The membership and leadership collective are the glue that have kept together the movement this far. New conditions have posed acute challenges for the ANC as it march towards centenary as a strong, united and disciplined collective. Our region has been found at the center of this instability, disunity, and a number of ills confronting the movement in the most recent history.

We must equally reflect on the role of the state, in our case EMM, in entrenching disunity and ultimately a paralysed regional collective.

We have experienced instability in relation to the regional leadership both politically and in governance. The recent disbandment of the ANC REC and installation of Regional Interim Leadership Core (RILC) and some of the Mayors not completing their terms bears testimony to the instability referred to. Organisational stability is fundamental in building a strong and hegemonic movement. The ANC Youth League is certainly of the view that the region requires the type of leadership that will bring about stability and ensure that the ANC discharges its responsibilities in light of material conditions of the people of Ekurhuleni

The level of disunity in our region is a serious concern. Comrades choose to be united in their factions as oppose to organisational unity. For our movement to be stable, unity of purpose is required. The ANC Youth League therefore says, the region needs the type of leadership that will re-inculcate the culture of unity in purpose and boldly denounce the entrenchment of disunity. This cannot be realised by individuals who have always been factionalist and divisive in the regional politics.

With the outcome of the recent local government elections where the ANC support declined by 3% nationally and with a trend in service delivery protests, this is a clear signal that our people are becoming impatient and can’t forever hold on into promises that are not timely realised. It should be noted that Ekurhuleni Metro was the highest of all Metros that voted the ANC yet the material conditions of the voters are not improving drastically compared to even nearby metros like Johannesburg.

The ANC Youth Leagues says we indeed require political leadership that will push for accelerated service delivery and development. We require leadership that will at all times independently ensure oversight on governance and take the necessary measures in cases where deployed councillors and officials are failing to perform and implement programs of the ANC in the Municipality.

We don’t believe the ANC has done enough in terms of youth development in this region. Young people remain the worse affected by high levels of poverty, unemployment and generally poor socio-economic conditions. It is placed on record that the same marginalised youth of Ekurhuleni is always at the forefront during campaigns and highest in numbers as far as voting for the ANC.

The ANCYL is entrusted with the task of being an agent for youth development. Whilst the ANCYL lobby and advocate for youth development, the ANC must assist in ensuring that youth development is always at the centre of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. The ANC Youth League is of the view that we need a regional leadership that will elevate youth development agenda in that imperative ANC Youth League Congress resolutions find expression in the ANC and governance. This includes amongst others; generational mix at all levels (organisationally and in governance) as well as economic emancipation of youth in all aspects (skills, education and entrepreneurial support, access to business opportunities).

Our organisation has degenerated to a point where members have forgotten and abandoned their primary responsibilities. Some newly recruited members have no political consciousness ending up being members of groups instead of the broader ANC collective. The ANC Youth League calls for a leadership that will foster membership induction in ensuring that congress membership remain politically conscious and pursue the fundamental goal, aims and objectives of the ANC as enshrined in the constitution.

We have noted that the world is becoming younger and that there is a need to have our structures appreciating the need to prepare younger leaders to take over the baton. Whilst we note the ANC has always appreciated and absorbed youth but we need a more focused and deliberate action of giving responsibility to younger generation. It is critical that as a youth leagues we advocate for the building of second layer leadership. The culture of comrades forever and repeatedly occupying ANC leadership positions without progressing and bringing positive impact must be discouraged. The ANC Youth Leagues calls for inclusion of new ideas and energy in the regional leadership. This is in recognition of the fact that politics are not static, but evolve over time. It should be understood that the youth is the future and that generational mix as well as building second layer of leadership is imperative and this generational mix must including the current generation.

The ANC Youth League needs to play a role in guiding its constituency to influence the regional congress leadership outcome in that:

„h We have a leadership that will be equal to the above mentioned challenges

„h Those in leadership position should demonstrate unity and guide the movement towards the struggle to continue improving the lives of our people

„h We close the doors for corrupt individual and enemies who exploit internal democratic processes to emerge in leadership positions and act contrary to the aspiration of the ANC

„h We elect leaders who are able to read, understand, interpret and implement the policies of the ANC at all times

„h We elect leaders whose conduct and behaviours will not compromise the image of the ANC in the society, rather a leader who will win the confidence of the people

„h We elect a leaders whose personal interest must not be above those of the ANC

We therefore present this perspective for engagements by ANCYL structures and broader congress movement. We hope that through this process we will be able to formulate a base from which to engage and resolve on the character of ANC towards centenary and its leadership with emphasis to; collective leadership, organisational discipline and political maturity

AMANDLA!! AMANDLA!!

LONG LIVE ANC, LONG LIVE!!