By Akani Nkuna
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has called on the party’s ‘Young Turks’ to rise above internal conflicts, warning that political infighting and factionalism are undermining efforts to address the urgent challenges facing South Africans, especially the poor and marginalised.
He said the youth league must be at the centre of the ANC’s renewal and at the forefront of the struggle to regain power in the 2026 Local Government Elections, a task that demands visionary leadership, not petty bickering among ‘comrades’.
“We do not have the luxury of infighting or being inward-looking. The struggle to liberate our people is out there, and we are needed. The ANC Youth League must be at the forefront, ensuring the ANC wins back power,” Mbalula said on Friday.
He cautioned that bickering over leadership positions was not what citizens expected from the party.
“South Africans want leadership that brings real change to their lives. The youth of this country need leadership from you,” he said.
Mbalula, a former Youth League president, was delivering the closing remarks at the league’s 2nd National General Council, held over two days at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre in Kimberley, Northern Cape.
The conference, themed “Reclaiming the Revolution: Youth at the Centre of Renewal and Transformation,” brought together more than 1,000 delegates from ANC branches nationwide.
Discussions focused on a “youth rescue plan” to tackle unemployment, crime, and economic exclusion.
Calling on delegates to lead the fight against unemployment, Mbalula reminded them of the Youth League’s history of militant activism.
“We want a Youth League that is alive, militant, and leading youth struggles. You once occupied the streets of Johannesburg with millions behind you demanding jobs. Today, the greatest cry of our people remains unemployment – and that struggle must again be led by the Youth League,” he said.
The Secretary-General also underscored the importance of education as a tool for transformation, but stressed that it must be guided by progressive ideology.
“Education without consciousness and clarity of ideology means nothing. Otherwise, universities become ivory towers,” he said.
Mbalula further stressed the need for discipline within the Youth League, saying the ANC’s future depended on it.
“If the ANCYL falters on discipline, the ANC is doomed. The ANC foundational course is crucial for instilling discipline and ensuring it is internalised. We all came through the Youth League, and tomorrow, leadership for the ANC must also emerge from these ranks,” he added.
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