The Freedom Front Plus Youth (FF+) has accused the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) of being ”softies” after the ANCYL failed to take part in a live television debate on affirmative action.
”Clearly the organisation is not prepared or does not have the courage to defend their view on affirmative action on a public platform,” said FF+ leader Cornelius Jansen van Rensburg.
He said the FF+ asked for the debate after ANCYL president Fikile Mbalula said affirmative action should be given a ”permanent character”. The debate was to be broadcast on Sunday on the current affairs programme, Fokus.
Jansen van Rensburg described affirmative action as ”indefensible”.
He said if NCYL was still prepared to hold the debate, they should contact the FF+.
”If we are not contacted, the FF+ will accept that the debate has been won.”
The ANCYL’s Zizi Kodwa said the league had agreed to participate on the live programme, but because of an aircraft flight delay, the person who was supposed to represent them arrived at OR Tambo International Airport late.
”Its unfortunate that there was a flight delay, but we communicated this to the producers of the programme,” Kodwa said.
He denied that the ANCYL was not comfortable to hold their own in front of an Afrikaans audience.
”We are more committed and even prepared either one on one or on camera to go ahead with the debate. Even if they take it to the BBC [British Broadcasting Corporation], we’ll still participate,” Kodwa added. — Sapa