/ 18 June 2011

After the party, youth league gets down to business

After The Party

The ANC Youth League started the third day of its national congress on Saturday with a closed session after re-electing Julius Malema as its leader the night before.

Following the announcement of ANCYL president Julius Malema’s re-election, we find out how his loyal supporters feel, why they believe he’s the only leader for them, and their response to Maile declining his nomination.

The morning session — from 9am to 2pm — was closed to the media.

The league’s 24th congress, attended by about 5 500 delegates, was taking place at Gallagher Estate in Midrand.

Ronald Lamola, the league’s Mpumalanga spokesperson, was elected deputy president and Kenetswe Mosenogi, a member of the league’s national executive committee, deputy secretary. Lamola is also Mpumalanga premier David Mabuza’s spokesperson.

KwaZulu-Natal ANCYL leader Sindiso Magaqa was elected league general secretary. Pule Mabe was re-elected treasurer general.

Nothing came of Lebogang Maile’s ambitions to challenge Malema. The Gauteng sport and youth league chairperson declined a nomination to stand for the position.

This decision came after he failed to persuade any provinces to endorse his candidacy.

On Saturday afternoon, ANCYL spokesperson Floyd Shivambu was expected to present a “programme for economic freedom in our lifetime”, while national executive committee member Kabelo Mataboge was expected to present a report on organisation renewal.

Mabe and former secretary general Vuyisa Tulelo were also expected to address delegates.

The conference was also expected to nominate and vote for national executive committee members on Saturday.

The congress started on Thursday, with the Saturday Star reporting that rival factions of Malema and Maile supporters trashed the Don Suite Hotel in Kempton Park.

Land reform, nationalisation of mines and Libya: watch our short, sharp summary of what Julius Malema and Jacob Zuma said in their speeches to ANC Youth League delegates at the opening of their elective conference — and where the two differed.

The newspaper said rivals threw chairs, tables and sofas into the swimming pool of the hotel in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Apparently, Maile supporters from Sedibeng, the only Gauteng region that nominated him, were angry because they had allegedly not been given rooms.

‘Ready to lead’
Soon after his election on Friday night, a jubilant Malema told the Mail & Guardian that he was ready to lead the youth league again.

“I’m humbled by the support that I got and the fact that the comrades have given me the mandate. I shall not disappoint”.

Maile was earlier on Friday evening trying to negotiate for a deputy president position with Malema’s group, but was given the cold shoulder because he did not have enough support. The top five candidates — all aligned with Malema — achieved victory without any contestation.

Maile’s political mentor, arts and culture minister Paul Mashatile, tried unsuccessfully to get him to withdraw his challenge. Maile however conceded defeat late on Friday after being persuaded by other senior Gauteng party leaders. – Sapa and Staff reporter

For the latest on the ANC Youth League conference click here: