THE ANC YOUTH LEAGUE CLOSES THE DEBATE ON THE ANC YOUTH LEAGUE PRESIDENT'S LIFESTYLE AND BUSINESS INVOLVEMENT:
The African National Congress Youth League believes that the Press Conference convened on Monday, the 22nd of February 2010 and all subsequent interviews by the ANC YL President and other leaders of the Youth League at National and Provincial level have adequately clarified the misrepresentations and rumours spread in the media about the leadership of the ANC YL. The Press statement we released on Monday said that, "We have to clarify these allegations particularly to ANC Youth League members and supporters of the ANC so that they are not fed wrong, misleading and damaging information by the Newspapers". From the reports we got from Provinces and Regions, members and supporters of the ANC Youth League have a clearer sense on the position of the ANC YL and President Julius Malema.
Because our members are clarified and ready to defend the ANC Youth League and its leadership, we officially close all enquiries pertaining to the ANC YL President's media-conducted lifestyle audit, which was meant to question his credibility as a leader of the Youth League. It must however be put on record that the failed attempt to question the integrity of ANC YL President has re-energised our organisation to fight with more determination, vigour and vigilance. The ANC Youth League is now more determined and ready to fight for radical socio-economic transformation, including for the Nationalisation of Mines and a proper perspective in 2012.
The ANC Youth League is aware that the entire exercise of questioning ANC Youth League's association with business was meant amongst other things to scare young entrepreneurs from engaging in business activities. The ANC YL and its entire leadership will continue to inspire and lead young entrepreneurs who are interested in business to do business without any fears of victimisation. We welcome ANC YL President's declaration that he will, without compromising the work of the organisation and like any other young youth, participate in whatever legitimate business activity he wishes to participate in. The ANC Youth League will always carry the responsibility to provide leadership to young people in society towards the betterment of their livelihoods and will never be apologetic about that.
We re-emphasise our strong conviction that the misrepresentations and rumours spread in Newspapers have been adequately clarified. We will in this regard not entertain any further enquiry as we have a responsibility and bigger tasks of championing young people's interests, whilst mobilising them behind the vision of the African National Congress. The Chapter is closed, we should move on and members of the media are humbly requested to respect that we are doing no further enquiries.
Statement issued by Floyd Shivambu, ANC Youth League spokesperson, February 24 2010
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