The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) has been a strong force for change in the ANC since its formation, party deputy president Jacob Zuma said at the league’s 61st anniversary celebrations on Saturday.
”The ANCYL has intervened in the ANC at crucial moments in our history,” Zuma, dressed in traditional animal skin, said to a packed Nkonwankowa Stadium outside Tzaneen in Limpopo.
”It was the youth who introduced the need for the ANC’s mass character; its move away from the league of gentlemen. It was the youth league that introduced mass action.”
The league is part of Zuma’s strongest political support base.
Zuma is travelling around the country in what is known as the ”heart and mind” campaign, garnering support ahead of his corruption trial next year.
President Thabo Mbeki fired Zuma after a Durban High Court judge found there was a ”generally corrupt” relationship between him and his former financial adviser Schabir Shaik.
Zuma emphasised the importance of the youth in putting pressure on the ”mother body” to ensure the party remains relevant to the country’s political situation and does not stagnate.
ANCYL president Fikile Mbalula said the league is not owned by Mbeki or Zuma. It is owned by the ANC.
”When we defend the ANC deputy president against cannibalism, and defend him for the rule of law, we are not ashamed,” Mbalula said to cheers from the crowd of an estimated 10 000 people.
”Our support is not tribal support. We are not here because we are Xhosa, Zulu and Shangaan. We are here because we are ANC supporters,” Mbalula said. — Sapa