Cape Town – Collen Malatji has been elected as the new president of the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League in Ekurhuleni.
He was the only candidate to receive enough support through branch nominations and was elected unopposed.
The election took place at the Nasrec Expo Centre on Saturday, with over 2 000 delegates in attendance.
Speaking after his election, Malatji said he aimed to revive the ANC Youth League and focus on restructuring the economy.
“I want to be known for being a president of the youth league that’s worked very hard to restructure the economy. I am a very principled cadre, when I say I am going to implement something I will, I don’t change along the way,” EWN quoted him as saying.
Phumzile Mgcina was also elected unopposed for the position of deputy president.
[BREAKING NEWS] Collen Malatji is the new ANCYL President: Phumzile Mgcina was nominated unopposed for the Deputy President position.
Tune into #Newzroom405 for rolling coverage of the ANCYL elective conference. pic.twitter.com/DUnMRXiDFi
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 1, 2023
Mntuwoxolo Ngudle was elected as the secretary-general unopposed.
Tsakane Shivitu was elected as the first secretary general unopposed, The Citizen reported.
The position of second deputy secretary general went to Olga Seate, also unopposed.
Meawhile, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula earlier poured cold water on his alleged involvement in making sure those he favoured would be elected to top positions, the report said.
Mbalula’s reception by the Youth League was mixed, with some members clapping for him while others demanded answers regarding the firing of Xola Nqola, the ANCYL task team convener.
Disgruntled ANCYL members accused ANC leaders, including Mbalula, of manipulating the congress and disregarding proper procedures.
But Mbalula denied these accusations.
“Some comrades have arrived at the conclusion that this conference must not continue, you can’t come to the conference when you are of the view that it must not continue. It [the congress] will never convene if we go with the standard of these people,” he said.
“You will come here and insult me saying Mbalula is doing this and that but I have to oversee [the congress]. We have no intention of destroying anybody but I will never bend to the people who deface the ANC,” the report quoted Mbalula as saying.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
