The ANC Youth League will back Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe to succeed President Jacob Zuma at the party’s congress in Mangaung next year, the Cape Times newspaper reported on Monday.
It was also supporting Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula to replace ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe, the youth league’s deputy president, Ronald Lamola, told youth at the OR Tambo Memorial Lecture at Phatsimang College in Galeshewe.
“Next year we will replace Zuma with Motlanthe as president and we will replace the secretary general with Fikile Mbalula,” Lamola said.
Reading Zuma’s “political obituary” to youth league branch members in the Frances Baard District, Lamola said it was disingenuous of ANC leadership to tell the young lions not to open the succession debate while others in the party were allowed to talk about the issue.
“Members of the youth league in KwaZulu-Natal speak of Zuma for a second term and that is fine. Is that not a succession debate?” he said.
“Why are they not being disciplined? Why is it acceptable to speak of the succession to support [Zuma], but when you change the name in the debate it is no longer acceptable?
“Why is it that people are allowed to talk of the succession at beer halls, yet you members of the youth league are not allowed to take part in the succession debate in your structures?” he asked. — Sapa