ANCYL Statement on the apology to President Zuma

16 August 2015

The African National Congress Youth League in KwaZulu Natal has noted the apology directed at the President of the African National Congress and the Republic, Cde Jacob Zuma from Steve Motale (see here). Although we are surprised that such an admission was made, its contents however do not surprise us at all! If anything, this revelation goes to confirm a view held by the Youth League that the media in South Africa falls short on its duty to inform the public.

The Youth League has always argued that the so called independence of the media is nothing but a smokescreen used to give more preference to the opposition whilst character assassinating the African National Congress and its leadership.

The Youth League understands the role of the media to be that of informing the public and providing accurate stories aimed at allowing members of the public to have relevant information. The revelations of an agenda aimed at destroying the leadership of the ANC and subsequently the ANC itself have proved to illustrate that the media isn’t providing to the public that which it should, information but rather abuses the position of trust they hold with the public.

In the light of these revelations, the Youth League calls for an investigation into media ethics and the many allegations raised by the revelations contained in that apology. The many of Steve Motale’s colleagues that he feels must also join him in expressing an apology to President Zuma for their role in the systematic campaign against him must be exposed. We call upon the President to set up a Judicial Commission on Inquiry which will investigate these matters and make the necessary recommendations which will ensure that our country’s media deliver on their mandate without malafide intentions.

We wish to also congratulate the masses of our people who have always supported the ANC, those who could not be fooled by this continuous onslaught from agents of the opposition, the media. We urge all those who had been persuaded to believing that the ANC had changed its character to realise that the ANC remains a home for all, committed to moving South Africa forward in the struggle for a better life for all our people.

The ANC leads, the ANC lives…

Statement issued by ANCYL KwaZulu Natal Provincial Secretary, Thanduxolo Sabelo, August 18 2015