/ 26 February 2010

‘We’ll stand by our man,’ say youth

'we'll Stand By Our Man

African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) president Julius Malema looks certain to lead the Young Lions to the ruling party’s centenary conference in 2012, despite the public outcry about his “tenderpreneur” lifestyle.

A Mail & Guardian survey of the league’s nine provinces revealed that all provincial leaders were determined to campaign for Malema’s re-election at the youth league’s national congress next year.

Despite this week’s spotlight on Malema’s opulent lifestyle, and allegations that he used his political muscle to benefit from government contracts for companies linked to him, league provincial leaders were adamant that Malema will serve another presidential term.

They credited him with:

  • Creating the national youth development agency after the merger of the national youth commission and the Umsobomvu Youth Fund;
  • Increasing the popularity of the ANCYL and building its brand;
  • Getting the ANC to listen to the youth league’s voice, even when the two differ; and
  • Unifying all the youth league structures.

There was little evidence to support claims of growing disillusionment in the league with Malema’s leadership style and image.

“Even those provinces that previously doubted his leadership capabilities are now all behind him,” said Mpumalanga youth league secretary Isaac Mahlangu.

“He has managed to keep the youth league on the national agenda — he kept the level of political debate high and maintained the militancy needed in the youth league.”

Free State youth league chairperson Thabo Meeko said young people in the province felt that the push for nationalisation of key aspects of the economy stood a chance of succeeding only under Malema’s leadership. “Julius Malema should lead us in the battles of 2012. We think he is the only one who can lead us on nationalisation and the issue of generational mix in the leadership of the ANC,” said Meeko.

Limpopo was also fully behind Malema’s re-election, said provincial chairperson Lehlogonolo Masoga, who claimed that under Malema’s presidency the youth league had become “very influential” in the ANC.

“We are where we are supposed to be, in the public domain and influencing debates. Malema has brought back the vibrancy and bravery that was always associated with the league but that was beginning to die down.”

‘A concerted campaign to discredit him’
North West acting provincial secretary Mamogale More said signs of the league’s improved standing included the fact that most issues it raised in the ANC “are successfully processed”.

“We said we wanted an agency, not the youth commission and Umsobomvu — that was done,” said More. “We’ve now raised nationalisation and the debate is being taken seriously.”

In contrast to his predecessor, Fikile Mbalula, who had to leave the league because he was over the maximum age of 35, Malema’s age — 28 — will work in his favour.

Mpumalanga’s Mahlangu said Malema’s re-election would ensure continuity in the league.

KwaZulu-Natal league secretary Bheki Mtolo dismissed reports that the province favoured Malema’s replacement. All the provinces’ 466 branches agreed that he should be re-elected, despite the revelations about his business interests, Mtolo said.

“There’s a concerted campaign to discredit him. I know of many whites and Indians who own businesses and are not in the newspapers. It cannot be that if an African child is involved in business it’s a crime.”

Mtolo said the attention the league was attracting was a reflection of Malema’s leadership qualities. “The youth league brand is popular, like Coca-Cola. People talk of the ANCYL every day because of his leadership”.

Malema had not misrepresented the league’s mandate in any way, said Eastern Cape youth league secretary Ayanda Matiti, adding: “He has done well in terms of the space we currently occupy in society.”

Gauteng youth league secretary Thabo Kupa said there was a clear agenda to target youth league leaders, particularly Malema, to prevent the league from playing an “active role” at the ANC’s 2012 conference.

Kupa praised Malema’s “bravery”. “He doesn’t shy away from debates. We need a leader of his calibre.”

The league’s Western Cape secretary, Thandi Mahambehlala, said Malema’s detractors feared the ANCYL’s power to influence leadership preferences in the ANC and were trying to weaken the league through negative reports about him.

The Northern Cape said Malema’s “charisma” and “oratory skills” would ensure his re-election.