The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) will not rush to pronounce its preferred ANC presidential candidate when incumbent Cyril Ramaphosa’s terms comes to an end in 2027.
Although others have started with the building blocks to lobby for party administration boss Fikile Mbalula to rise to that position, the youth league will not do that.
This is according to ANCYL president Collen Malatji, who was speaking to Sunday World Engage in a wide-ranging interview.
Malatji said although the young lions were impressed with Mbalula’s hard work and successes in his current office, marrying themselves to him would be a tactical blunder.
This because the future was not cast in stone and the Mbalula of today can be somebody different by 2027.
If they were to endorse Mbalula now, and he turned the enemy of the youth closer to conference, said Malatji, making a U-turn might prove impossible.
“When the time comes, we will have a view on who must lead. The ANCYL has full voting rights at ANC conferences as part of the 10%, and majority of ANC branches are led by young people,” he said.
“It is premature [to endorse Mbalula for president]. What if he disappoints us next year. What if next year he decides to join another party? We must never pronounce on individuals early. We must give them time; watch how they behave.
“For example, if Mbalula does not support our pro-youth programme, we will not support him in the next conference. Can you imagine if I make a pronouncement on him now that I want him as president and then he becomes anti-youth next year? Then I must come out and say I was wrong and end up being a flip-flopper. We are watching him; if he performs and we are happy, we might be lobbied.”
Malatji said Mbalula was doing well in his current position and managed in a short space of time to have all ANC structures having elected leadership.
Luthuli House was a hive of activity because of Mbalula’s energy, he added.
And the Youth League will defend Mbalula from any enemy attack if it seeks to defocus him on his ANC work.
“He has got our support and must not have any fear to make decisions and lead. The youth league is there to support him.”
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