ANC finds attacks on Thulas Nxesi regrettable

7 August 2023

The African National Congress (ANC) has noted recent comments of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) directed at Comrade Thulas Nxesi, an ANC Deployee as Minister for Employment and Labour.

The Youth League represents a strong body of opinion within our organisation and society towards the fulfilment of its twin tasks, that of advancing the ideals of a democratic society and the development of young people. Whilst the ANC encourages the Youth League to robustly and outspokenly pursue the interests of young people, we urge that this should be done without denigrating personalities.

Whilst we encourage an analysis of many issues confronting South Africans, we do not encourage insults on deployees who are seized with these issues. As a liberation movement, any critical thought should be premised on substantive analysis and solution-based thinking. As such, the ANC takes exception to the utterances by the Youth League on Cde Thulas Nxesi.

Issued by Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, National Spokesperson, ANC, 7 August 2023