ANC YOUTH LEAGUE STATEMENT ON DEVELOPMENT OF SECOND LAYER LEADERSHIP AND GENERATIONAL MIX IN THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS:

16 August 2010

In his address to the African National Congress Youth League Gauteng Provincial Congress, ANC YL President Julius Malema remarked that the ANC should consciously look into the issue of second layer leadership and generational mix at senior leadership levels. The essence of the message was that whilst dependant on the organisational memory, leadership capabilities and skills of the older generation, the ANC should begin to appreciate that leadership should look into the future as the current leadership will hand over the baton to younger generation as South Africa is getting younger and the world is accepting younger leadership.

The address by ANC Youth League President was however misinterpreted by Sunday Newspapers, in particular the Sunday Independent and Sunday Times as meaning that ANC President Jacob Zuma should not be elected in the 2012 National Conference of the ANC. The ANC Youth League places it on record that leadership succession debates in the ANC have not yet begun, and we will not be in a position to pronounce who should be elected into the leadership of the ANC in 2012. The ANC has correctly advised structures should not discuss issues of leadership succession for 2012 because such discussions have potential to divide the organisation.

The ANC Youth League is however entering into a principle discussion on ANC leadership matters without a narrow focus to 2012, but with a broader vision of persuading the ANC to develop second layer leadership and allow younger and more energetic generations into senior leadership positions in the future. This does not entail that the ANC Youth League has taken any decision on who should lead the ANC in 2012. The Youth League is more than ready to discuss issues of leadership and will do that in a democratic, robust and cogent manner with a vision that seeks to safeguard the integrity and durability of the ANC, but only after the ANC has opened for such discussions. Now, our focus is on principle issues as we carry a responsibility to discuss principles that should safeguard the life and longevity of the revolutionary movement.

Currently, the ANC Youth League is fully behind the entire leadership of the ANC led by President Jacob Zuma and will continue mobilise young people behind the vision of the ANC, inject the necessary energy into policy discussions, whilst championing the interests of young people.

Statement issued by Floyd Shivambu, ANC Youth League Spokesperson, August 16 2010

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