Durban - What was meant to be a youth commemoration day became a platform for Collen Maine, ANC Youth League president, to intensify pressure and tell President Jacob Zuma the time had come for young people to lead the organisation.
Speaking at the youth rally in Kings Park Stadium, Durban on Saturday, Maine expressed the Young Lions’ dismay at the ANC’s mayoral candidates list, saying they were not happy it was dominated by old people.
Maine said it was time the old guard passed the baton because they were capable of leading the organisation which turned 104 this year. And he warned they would “crush” those who stood in their way.
Zuma sat motionless as Maine spoke, even when he turned to the president and said: “Thank you baba and your generation for going to exile and everything that you have done, but we must take over and lead the ANC and the country now.”
He reiterated the youth league’s stance on economic freedom and free education for all. “We want free education like on Saturday,” he said.
Zuma responded by acknowledging young people were frustrated, but warned engaging with the ANC could not involve violence and destruction.
“You have a revolutionary duty to defend our democracy and its gains. There’s absolutely no grievance that is too big (to) be raised and addressed through democratic means,” he said.
The ANC knew the youth were frustrated, and this was why they were working so hard with business and labour to improve the performance of the economy and create jobs.
Zuma departed from his speech, turned to Maine, and said: “ Yabone ke president (Maine), if you say the old ones must make way... you must prove that you are armed with these skills. It is only when you are armed shall we give that.”
For young people to take leadership positions, Zuma said they must first promote unity in the ANC, fight the demons of racism and tribalism and foster discipline in their organisation, the mother body itself and the country.
They must also promote stability and order and end the violent protests and looting in which many young people participated. “These are areas for you to demonstrate your leadership and your readiness to lead the country,” he said.
While the ANC youth wanted 40 percent of election list candidates reserved for young people, they agreed to 20 percent, the president said, challenging the Young Lions to campaign intensively and convince all South Africans to vote ANC.
Political Bureau