The spotlight has firmly been placed on ANC Youth League president Julius Malema as he faces disciplinary action for allegedly bringing the ANC into disrepute, but he is not the only one facing censure. The Mail & Guardian takes a look at the other league officials facing the music at this week’s ANC disciplinary hearings.
Julius Malema: President
Hailing from Seshego in Limpopo, Malema first shot to the limelight in 2002 when, as the national chairperson of the Congress of South African Students, he led a violent march through the streets of Johannesburg. After being elected to the presidency of the ANC Youth League in 2008, he has been mired in controversy.
Faring dismally in high school, Malema completed a two-year diploma in youth development through Unisa in 2010. He is currently enrolled for a Bachelor of Arts degree at the same institution. Seen as the strongest proponent of the call for the nationalisation of South Africa’s mines and often labels himself as an “economic freedom fighter”.
Once a fervent supporter of president Jacob Zuma, the bromance seems to have ended and Malema is now looking for a new political partner to drive his supposed mandate.
Floyd Shivambu: Spokesperson
Rising to prominence during his days in student politics at the University Of Witwatersrand, Shivambu earned a BA Honours degree in international relations and political studies.
From humble beginnings in Malamulele in Limpopo, Shivambu cut his political teeth as a member of the South African Communist Party (SACP) and considers its slain former secretary general Chris Hani his hero.
Shivambu has also served on the national executive of the South African Students Congress (Sasco) and the national committee of the Young Communist League (YCL) before ascending to the office of the youth league’s spokesperson when Malema became president of the league.
He is known for his sharp tongue when speaking to journalists about the league’s business.
Sindiso Magaqa: Secretary general
Newly elected ANC Youth League secretary general Sindiso Magaqa (27) sees deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe as his role model. But he shares a love of singing with President Jacob Zuma.
Born in Idisi village in KwaZulu-Natal, Magaqa joined the ANC Youth League in 1997 and was elected branch chairperson a year later. He also chaired the ANC’s Harry Gwala branch and, until the conference, was the ANC’s deputy provincial chairperson in KwaZulu-Natal. He has administrative experience in local government, having worked as special project manager in the Umzimkhulu municipality.
Ronald Lamola: Deputy president
From a small farm in Mpumalanga, Lamola joined the ANC Youth League in 1996 at the age of 14. In 2004, after being enrolled as a student at the University of Venda, he was elected SRC president and later became provincial chairperson of the South African Students Congress in Limpopo. He served as the Young Communist League secretary of the Gert Sibande region between 2008 and 2009, before joining the youth league’s provincial executive committee.
A lawyer by profession, Lamola serves as spokesperson for Mpumalanga premier David Mabuza.
But this may come to an end after he defied the premier’s instructions to support Gauteng youth league chairperson Lebogang Maile’s challenge to Julius Malema for the league’s presidency.
Kenetswe Mosenogi: Deputy secretary general
Little is known about Kenetswe Mosenogi, the new deputy secretary general of the ANC Youth League and the only woman in the top five. Unlike former secretary general Vuyiswa Tulelo, Mosenogi seems to shy away from taking a position on anything, including gender issues.
A former councillor of the Tlokwe local municipality in Potchefstroom, Mosenogi was not re-elected in the municipal elections. She says she’s using her time off to focus on part-time MBA studies at the University of North West. She holds a diploma in financial information systems from Unisa.
Mosenogi built a national profile in the ANC Youth League when it deployed her as a national executive committee (NEC) member to the Free State, Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Mpumalanga. She has served on the league’s NEC since 2008.
Pule Mabe: Treasurer general
Mabe has been the league’s treasurer since 2008. Under him, the organisation’s finances have improved from a disclaimer to a qualified audit report. He also presided over the dismantling of the league’s controversial investment arm — Lembede Investment Holdings. “Our income is increasing and our expenditure is decreasing,” said Mabe. “We need to ensure that we meet our budgetary commitments.” Beyond this, the 31-year-old former journalist and businessman flatly refuses to discuss the league’s finances.
He was in charge of organising the league’s first business networking lounge at its weekend congress. Mabe said the lounge generated “good money”, but refused to disclose how much. He led the charge to raise the R37-million to pay for the conference.
Mabe owns a publishing company, KG Media, which also runs a journalism training programme. He holds a national diploma in journalism from Tshwane University of Technology and is studying for a master’s in business administration.
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