Diary of a Polokwane boy-girl
Midnight, December 18
I think this conference really has confirmed my predilection for older men. Dunno if I can bring myself to get down with comrades like the jester-in-waiting in Padre Jacob Zuma’s charismatic church, ANC Youth League president Fikile Mballs-ula and his roaring Young Pussies.
The combination of infantile grandstanding, juvenile antics and litres of rhetorical vomit emanating from Mballs-ula clearly explains why, for guys hitting 40 years, they still haven’t graduated from the ANC’s junior school.
A voice sounding suspiciously like Mballs-ula’s could be heard rocking into a hijacked microphone at the announcement of the national executive council’s top-six election results on Tuesday night. When not giggling like a hysterical five-year-old girl, or playing downloaded Msholozi praise songs from a cellphone, the distinctive Mballs-ula-like voice wrought confusion during the floor nomination process by whispering sweet nothings aimed at his Big Daddy.
Midday, December 19
Also learnt from a hack friend of mine at today’s Youth League press conference that he was also hoping to take a break from South African politics at some stage and spend a year in Italy ‘just like KC and Jo-Joâ€.
Presumably relaxing next to the swimming pool topped up with Crystal and hoochie-mamas in a Tuscan villa while planning how to ‘help the poorest of the poorâ€, ‘advancing the national democratic revolution†and ‘raining down on mutineersâ€.
While the offer of being stuck for the next five years in a massive golden shower emanating from the Youth League hierarchy may appeal to some, I realise I much prefer the older fuzzy types, who’ve read books other than those prescribed in primary school.
Tuesday’s top six results and nominations from the floor — the first being Lumka Yengeni, wife of Tony Yengeni, another member of the coalition of the marginalised around JZ — reflected the power shift in the party.
And this was also reflected in the Network Lounge which, aside from the odd invasion by the masses seeking brioche, has been the domain of the ascendant faction.
Early on V-day
So, this morning came as no surprise as one watched Young Pussies in Youth League nappies chucking back single-malt regmakers as early as 10.30am.
Perhaps the ANC’s constitutional amendment sessions of the conference was a tad too taxing for the young ‘uns. They will surely have a word with Trevor Manuel and Reserve Bank Governor Tito Mboweni regarding the taxing nature of policy engagement.
Around 3am, December 19
Speaking of Tony Yengeni, he is rather deft at popping open bottles of French champagne: sidled illicitly into a little shindig to celebrate JZ’s ascension to the throne last night at the President’s Lounge in the Network Lounge.
It appeared victims of the Mbeki Marginalisation Police had gathered to celebrate TM’s demise: Yengeni, Blade Nzimande and former Eastern Cape MEC for Finance Enoch Godongwana were just some of the players congratulating themselves on their hard work over the past year.
It was left to Yengeni to remind Comrade Blade that his fourth toast should be dedicated to the victory of women at this conference.
Bubbles taste best when one is giggling.