Simon Nare
The ANC Youth League is set to start its 27th elective conference on Sunday after months of internal conflict and a power struggle between its president, Collen Malatji, and secretary general, Mntuwoxolo Ngudle.
The battle for control of the organisation escalated to the point that the two leaders moved to suspend each other, prompting interventions by the ANC — including secretary general Fikile Mbalula — to bring them together and broker a settlement.
The conference will be held at the University of Limpopo’s Turfloop campus in Mankweng, outside Polokwane, and run until Wednesday. The league is expected to announce its top six nominations on Sunday evening.
Malatji will be seeking re-election, with factional support expected to split along provincial lines.
In earlier internal disputes, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape were reported to have backed moves against Malatji, while Gauteng, Limpopo, Free State, North West and Northern Cape were cited as blocking that push and favouring an elective conference.
Within ANC circles, a win for Malatji is seen as a shot in the arm for Mbalula’s potential campaign for the party’s top job at the 2027 national elective conference.
Ngudle is not expected to contest for any position because he will be over the league’s age limit of 35.
Ngudle said in a statement ahead of the conference that the theme would be “Economic Freedom and Social Change Now, Not Later” as mandated by 90% of the league’s branches nationwide during its national general council.
“This reflects a united call by the youth league for renewed leadership and strengthened organisational capacity as the movement prepares for the upcoming local government elections and other critical phases in the renewal of the ANC and the youth league itself,” he said.
He called on all members for discipline, unity and commitment to the principles of organisational renewal and revolutionary integrity.
“This congress will affirm the youth league’s position as the legitimate voice of South African youth and its unwavering dedication for economic freedom in our lifetime,” said Ngudle.
INSIDE POLITICS