Mukoni T Ratshitanga
The African National Congress Youth League goes to its 20th national conference in Johannesburg next week amid fears that it is losing the battle for the hearts and minds of the youth.
Central to the criticisms levelled against the league is that it is only vocal on leadership matters within the ANC and does far too little to advance vital causes affecting the youth.
Critics from other ANC-aligned youth organisations say the league has “done little to influence the unfolding policy formulation process except the National Youth Policy, itself poorly mobilised.”
A South African Students Congress leader, who did not want to be named, said this week “a lot of legislation affecting the youth has been passed by Parliament. We have not seen the league take a strong stand to influence direction.
“What we see rather is the youth league commenting on what the ANC has said, but not being proactive – giving vibrant and original policy options to shape transformation. For example, they did not even feature in the Gear (growth, employment and redistribution strategy) debate, which no doubt affects the youth.”
But youth league president Malusi Gigaba this week hit back at critics, saying they do not understand the organisation’s position. “We are an organ of the ANC. We have used our internal channels within the ANC to raise problems. We can demand an urgent meeting with the state president or the president of the ANC to seek explanations,” he said.
“We are not responsible for all the things that go out to the public. Some of these things [leadership battles] have been leaks for sensational purposes.”
But Gigaba agrees some criticisms are valid. “There are occasions when we should have gone out public and stated our positions so that when we engage other sectors our membership knows of the position.”
He reminded critics that the youth league’s membership had grown by 120 000 in the past two years. “Some organisations have died while the league is still alive,” he said.
“Most of the people who joined the league in this period are in their teens. These are people you can’t organise around a march. So you have to look at other ways. The problem is that comrades have tended to want to organise people around old tactics.”
Gigaba cited as achievements the establishment of the national and provincial youth commissions, national and provincial youth Bills and the establishment of the South African Youth Council.
“The league does not have direction over those structures. You don’t just claim victory and then become unable to use that victory. Ever since the council was established, I know of no single position that has come from the league to build the structure,” said a senior member.
The league’s critics maintain that nothing has been done to reverse the prevailing culture of “apathy” among the youth.
“The league has just told us that the youth has changed. But it is supposed to take a lead in the cultural re-orientation of the youth,” said a member. The 1 700 conference delegates will have to tailor a programme of action to remedy the situation.
According to one of the papers tabled for discussion at the conference, the league must broaden its constituency “to reflect a truly non-racial character”.
Other aspects of the programme include youth development projects, a campaign for the rights of women and children, youth employment programmes and lobbying on policy matters affecting the youth.
Gigaba’s presidency is being challenged by Mpumalanga MEC for Sport and Recreation Lassy Chiwayo.
He said this week: “My availability will depend on provinces. Ideally, I would like to focus on what I’m doing in the province.”
Chiwayo is credited by colleagues for being an efficient manager and “deeply committed to everything he does.” Four of the nine provincial ANCYL structures this week confirmed they were voting for him.