The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) is a political nuisance in this country. One wonders why the ANC continues to keep such an undisciplined troupe going when it generates so much negative news for the party. Politically stunted, they are a destructive force and, as an institution, they continue to survive, even as a travesty of their former self.
The ANCYL contributes nothing to South Africa, nothing to the development of youth leaders, and nothing to social development. Way past their sell-by-date, they force greatness on mediocrities like Julius Malema, Floyd Shivambu and their ilk.
The problem is this - the ANCYL is intrinsically handicapped by its historical origins. Similar youth movements disappeared with the demise of communism and fascism but here the National Democratic Revolution provides them with a lifeline.
A look at their communist and fascist antecedents explains it all.
Party controlled Communist Leagues were an invention of the Bolsheviks. They believed that youth were central to the building and survival of socialism. More easily influenced than adults into fervent communist discipleship, they were used to play a crucial role during the civil war in Russia in 1918.
Their co-optation through political education, state-sponsored cultural events in schools and political campaigns succeeded as they infused the communist resistance movements with renewed energy and enthusiasm. Richly rewarded, of course, with entitlements to educational, professional, or political opportunities, they were expected to devote themselves to communism.