Cape Town – The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to include young people in his new cabinet, advocating for ministers and deputy ministers under 35.
According to Times Live, ANCYL leader Collen Malatji highlighted the recent inclusion of about 20 young MPs under 35 and others under 40 or 50, reflecting a positive trend towards a leadership that mirrors society’s demographics.
“We have seen the inclusion of about 20 young people under the age of 35 as MPs, with a significant number under the age of 40 or 50,” he said.
“This is a positive step towards ensuring our leadership reflects the demographics of society, where the youth form a substantial part,” the report quoted Malatji as saying.
Despite the DA’s participation in the government of national unity (GNU), the ANCYL insists on focusing on youth issues, including unemployment, higher education, crime, drug abuse, inclusive economic growth, and effective service delivery.
Meanwhile, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula and DA federal council chair Helen Zille recently seemed to be in disagreement over the conditions of the Government of National Unity (GNU) agreements.
Mbalula asserted during an interview with journalist Clement Manyathela on the #FaceTheNation show on SABC that
Mbalula indicated he was confident the ANC could make certain decisions without needing the DA’s approval.
Fikile Mbalula was interviewed before Helen Zille last night, Helen wanted to be given time to mop the floors of SABC with Mbaks using clause 24.😭
Great interviews my brother. @TheRealClementM
Try to get them in studio tonight, I wanna see something 😅 pic.twitter.com/OJip2FKgjd
— m a s h è s h a 💨 (@_mashesha) June 19, 2024
“The DA does not have the veto power. The threshold of 60% is of all the parties that will participate, when you constitute a government and you talk about 60% and political parties broadly that participate,” Business Day quoted Mbalula as saying.
Zille, however, countered, saying that consensus among GNU parties is necessary for cabinet decisions and adding new partners.
She emphasised that without the DA, the ANC cannot reach 60% of the GNU seats in the National Assembly.
Zille also stressed the need for consultation and transparency in appointing cabinet members, underscoring that Ramaphosa must consult with GNU party leaders before making appointments.
“We will represent at least 30% of the seats in the GNU. Without the DA, the ANC can’t reach 60% of the seats in the National Assembly occupied by the GNU parties,” Zille said.
“The ANC can’t bring people in that they feel like bringing in. This is another thing Fikile doesn’t seem to understand, because it says that in keeping with the spirit of an inclusive GNU, it is agreed the composition shall be discussed and agreed among the existing parties whenever new parties desired to be part of the GNU.
“There are three founding members of this: ourselves, the ANC and the IFP. He keeps making public statements about this one’s joined and that one’s joined, but he must read clause 24 [of] the document he signed,” she said.
The ANC announced the GNU includes five parties: the ANC, DA, IFP, GOOD party, and PA.
Zille pointed out that the agreement requires discussions and agreements among existing parties before new parties join the GNU, something she believes Mbalula fails to understand.
Despite this, Mbalula insisted that the ANC remains open to other parties joining the GNU.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
