Cape Town — The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) has hit back at the South African Communist Party (SAC) general secretary, Solly Mapaila, for criticising the Government of National Unity (GNU).
During an interview with Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, Mapaila caused controversy by implying the GNU was a simple ANC-DA deal.
‘What we see today is the bringing back of racism through the back door, through the collaboration of this deal called the GNU. It’s not a GNU, it’s an ANC-DA deal,” he said.
Mapaila had thanked Helen Zille in a previous address for telling it the way it was, saying she said more of the truth than what the comrades were saying.
More from my explosive interview with SACP’s Solly Mapaila:
“Racism is back, through the backdoor… It’s not a GNU, it’s just an ANC-DA deal… we thank Helen Zille for telling the truth.”
Full episode: https://t.co/6UY8sIkFkl pic.twitter.com/uk9chFUmNP
— Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh (@SizweMpofuWalsh) August 31, 2024
According to IOL, the ANCYL leader, Collen Malatji has now hit back at Mapaila and said he should stop hiding under the ANC’s skirt, and remove all SACP members from the GNU if he disagrees with it.
Malati questioned the logic behind Mapaila’s criticism of the ANC and the GNU, as the SACP had representatives within the GNU. He said there was a lack of consistency from the SACP leader.
Malatji argued that if Mapaila views the GNU as a sell-out structure, then the SACP members should be recalled.
“But the Solly Mapaila we know, that is a product of the Youth League and COSAS and many other structures of the movement, he is brave. We know that it’s either he will agree with the ANC on the GNU work, or will immediately withdraw those that are from the party who are in the GNU so that we’re seeing action,” Malatji said.
Minister of Science, technology and Innovation, Blade Nzimande and Deputy Finance Minister, David Masondo, are both SACP representatives within the GNU.
[WATCH] “The youth league is not launching any attack on the SACP. We are just condemning the statement by the Communist Party’s general secretary Solly Mapaila saying the ANC is a sellout,” – ANCYL secretary general Mntuwoxolo Ngudle.
Watch: https://t.co/cv6sYJ7fOp… pic.twitter.com/OB8bGK8NmF
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 3, 2024
According to News24, Malatji believes Mapaila’s statements were just a populist stance and that the party must prepare to win the next elections to implement its policies.
Malatji said the only party that has stood by the ANC’s side since 1994 was the SACP, and it should assist the ANC in bringing it back to 60% power.
Malatji added that the youth league planned to engage the SACP and its Young Communist League of SA (YCLSA). He said the two youth parties have a good relationship and will engage with them on the “unfortunate attacks on the ANC.”
“We remain dedicated to ensuring that the GNU serves the interests of all South Africans. South Africans don’t want a lot of theories, but they want their lives to be changed through service delivery,” he said.
Malatji: The ANCYL is deeply disappointed by the comments made by the General Secretary of the SACP, Solly Mapaila. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/LUU5d47iFM
— Natasha Nokuthula Phiri (@NatashaN_Phiri) September 3, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
