By Simon Nare
Youth league president Collen Malatji has signalled that the Young Lions may support ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula for the party presidency, while insisting the succession debate has not yet been formally opened.
Addressing the media after the Youth League’s national executive committee (NEC) meeting, Malatji said the organisation would only pronounce on its preferred leader when the appropriate time comes.
He dismissed speculation that he was actively campaigning for Mbalula, saying the media had incorrectly labelled his support for the ANC secretary-general’s programme as “illegal”.
“The ANC has not opened the succession debate. That debate will be opened after the elections. We are not focused on succession now; we are focused on elections,” Malatji said.
“There is nothing wrong with the president of the Youth League supporting programmes of the ANC. I am always with the secretary-general, and I am not asked why I am with the president of the ANC.”
Malatji said questions about his allegiance inevitably arise whenever he appears alongside Mbalula, but insisted there was nothing improper about supporting the secretary-general’s programme.
The Youth League’s remarks come amid reports that billionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe is being lobbied to contest the ANC presidency.
Speculation about a potential contest between Motsepe and Mbalula has been circulating within the party.
Mbalula has previously warned that the ANC’s growing fixation on succession politics, at the expense of rebuilding the organisation and preparing for the 2026 local government elections, could spell disaster for the party in the 2029 national elections.
Addressing the Chris Hani 9th regional conference in the Eastern Cape on Friday, Mbalula said ANC members appeared to underestimate the severity of the party’s crisis following its poor performance in the 2024 national elections.
He criticised members for focusing on the ANC’s 2027 national conference instead of strengthening branches and mobilising support ahead of next year’s local government polls.
“The local government election results will define what happens in 2029,” Mbalula said, urging members to channel their energy into rebuilding the organisation.
“Why are comrades obsessed with who must lead at the next conference in 2027 when we are in a muddy place like this? If we do not focus on the task at hand, we will be out of power faster than expected.”
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