After nearly a decade without conference, the ANC Youth League held a significant gathering at the Nasrec Expo Centre on Saturday to elect its top six leaders.
A total of 2 540 voting delegates were present at the conference, which required candidates vying for top positions to secure support from at least 635 delegates to qualify.
Nominations were accepted from both the branches and the conference floor and Collen Malatji was elected president of the youth league unopposed.
His nomination received overwhelming support from the delegates, reflecting their confidence in his leadership abilities and vision for the young lions.
Phumzile Mgcina secured the position of deputy president while Mntuwoxolo Ngudle was elected secretary-general.
Tsakani Shiviti obtained the necessary support from the delegates and emerged as deputy secretary-general and Olga Seate was elected to the newly added position of second deputy secretary-general after her name was raised from the floor.
Zwelo Masilela emerged as the victorious candidate in the race for treasurer-general, completing the top six leaders of the youth league.
Lwazi Magwaza, a delegate from KwaZulu Natal, proposed Aphiwe Mkhangelwa for the position of deputy president. However, Mkhangelwa declined the nomination, leaving the position open for Mgcina to secure uncontested.
Similarly, Khulekani Skhosana declined the nomination for the position of secretary-general, and Nokuthula Chakane, who was nominated for the position of deputy secretary-general, declined the nomination citing her dissatisfaction with the proceedings.
She said: “My name is Nokuthula Chakane. I am not available for this position. I do not agree with the process being undertaken.”
Thuthukile Zuma, the daughter of former ANC president Jacob Zuma, bravely accepted the nomination for the position of treasurer-general.
However, she was unable to attain the necessary support, falling short of the 25% threshold required for the position.
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