Who is the ANC Youth League? The Mail & Guardian team talks to delegates at the league’s national conference in Johannesburg, trying to map a picture of who makes up the league.
On our first day, we found that members today are those who invest a lot of hope in the ruling party and its ability to bring education and development to the country’s young people
Lizeka Bonga (33)
Teacher
Chris Hani region, Eastern Cape
Lizeka is here to discuss education policy. “The league should groom young people,” she says. “By the time we get to be part of the main body we will know how to behave ourselves as members of the ANC, so this is just a learning curve.”
She and her branch support the election of Julius Malema as the new president of the youth league.
“We support the top five leadership and, as for the comments he made about killing for Jacob Zuma, he was just ‘Xhosa-lising’ the whole thing because in our language you use killing figuratively just to emphasise how far you would go for a cause.”
What are her ambitions for the conference? “We hope that the policies that will be set out are able to equip the youth with skills and tools that they need for the future.”
Tumeka Goya (28)
Chris Hani region, Eastern Cape
For Tumeka, the league gives her a voice to influence the country. “I am part of the youth league because the policies that are made in this country affect us, so we need to be part of the decision-making body so that you can influence the decisions made on top.”
She wants to be groomed as a leader. “I was part of the main body [of the] ANC before I came into the youth league, but it was [too] broad.”
For her, the league provides a springboard and a training ground. “We are in the University of Politics by being in the ANC,” she says.
Lucas Pakwana (33)
Chris Hani region, Eastern Cape
Lucas is deeply disappointed that South African youths were involved in the xenophobic attacks. “We are part of the African National Congress, which means that we see all Africans the same, and as a young person I was not happy to see how many young people were involved in the violence against our brothers.”
He is also concerned by the poor education system and says: “Education in the rural areas needs transformation and we are here for that, we are the only people who can change that by engaging in discussions.”
And here’s one young man who won’t be hitting the bottle this weekend. “Alcohol abuse among youth is a huge problem and that is why we are pushing for a policy that will decrease the amount of alcohol consumption. A lot of social problems result from alcohol abuse. Things like the increasing crime, HIV/Aids infections and dropping out of school,” he says.
Mirriam Bodiba (31)
Fisantekraal, Western Cape
Mirriam says she came to the conference to make sure that the correct leadership is elected. “I came here to make sure that we will elect people that will correctly represent us not only as the ANC Youth League but [also] as the youth of South Africa.”
She says the league should reach all corners of the country because the future is the youth.
She wants to focus on education. “Education goes beyond the classroom; education is about empowering young people and giving them hope about the future of this country, so part of education would be getting people actively involved in the politics of this country.”
Saria Minnaar
DH van Staden Pixley ka Seme region, Northern Cape
Saria joined the league in 1994 and is not happy with the leadership elected earlier this year. “We should be given a chance to vote again in this conference. We should start all over again, as the process in Bloemfontein was not free and fair. There were irregularities.
“The ANC cannot endorse leaders for us, but they should guide us. We did tell them about our unhappiness. The process was very poor. I am not accepting the five officials.”
Xolisa Hlwempu (33)
Dullah Omar region, Western Cape
When asked why he is a member of the ANC Youth League, Xolisa says: “I joined the league to advance the interests of the young people because the ANC is South Africa’s leading political organisation.
“We are facing different challenges than the youth league in the days of Nelson Mandela; we have to champion the economy and give proper education to the young people of the country.”
He’s also here on a mission. “The conference must start from scratch. We do not accept what happened in Bloemfontein. We are going to have deliberations. The problem is that there are tensions, and when that happens it affects the organisation.”
Thobeka Hanse (29)
Regional coordinator for Central Karoo region, Northern Cape
Thobeka enjoys progressive politics and says: “It [the league] is the only organisation that is the vehicle to the progress of young people, but we need political education to help the organisation grow from strength to strength.
“I want to see myself serving the organisation and I am prepared to do whatever the organisation wants me to do.”
Hector Yabo (33)
Developmental officer, Desmond Yabo branch in the Dullah Omar region, Western Cape
“I joined the league because my family has always been part of the ANC and I wanted to be part of a progressive organisation. If we want to grow as a party, we need to identify all our mistakes and work on them to improve the organisation.”
He joined the league while still in high school.
Tobinceba Tshungwana (33)
Western Cape
Tobinceba joined the youth league in 1999. “I did not join the league to seek a position but rather to be part of the shaping and developing of the youth and my community. I work in my community doing community projects; being part of the youth league gives me a platform where I can make a difference.”
Tshungwana says he dropped out of school in grade 10. “It is thanks to the ANC that I have the knowledge that I do to continue my work. I receive a lot of help from fellow comrades and they advise me on policies and writing proposals.
He adds, however, that he feels bad about the political situation in the country. “Comrades are too focused on positions. Those in power are mainly focused on keeping power, and not teaching or bettering fellow comrades.”
Given Zuko Njengane (‘Late 20s’)
Western Cape
Given is a relative newcomer to the league. He joined in 2004. “I felt I had a responsibility to play a role in changing the mindset of the youth on issues of crime and unemployment.
“I think there are issues that still need sorting; our leaders still need to do more to engage people on issues around our democracy. People believe things will happen overnight and quickly lose hope when things do not happen as they expected.”
Solomzi Njotini
Eastern Cape
Solomzi joined the youth league in 2000. Though unemployed, he volunteers at the community clinic as a health worker. “I joined the ANC because it is the party I trust to provide my needs.”
Solomzi says in his community he has seen roads being built and water and electricity being provided to the community, which motivates him to stay in the party. He says he would like to see more strength from the leaders of the country, but he believes the future is bright.