Johanneburg - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe is the ANC Youth League's choice for the position of ANC president, it said on Wednesday.
It would nominate him for this post at the African National Congress's elective conference in Mangaung in December, ANCYL spokeswoman Khusela Sangoni-Khawe said in a statement.
“We are calling on all our structures and ANC branches... to ensure that our generational (sic) mission is fulfilled and that... tried, tested and competent comrades are elected.”
The ANCYL's candidate for ANC secretary general was former ANCYL leader Fikile Mbalula, and for deputy president ANC treasurer Mathews Phosa or Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale. Sexwale could also be nominated as treasurer general.
The names of North West Premier Thandi Modise, Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile, and former ANC deputy secretary general Thenjiwe Mtitso were also put forward.
Sangoni-Khawe said: “Primarily, the kind of political leadership that we need is leadership that adheres to our political programme for economic freedom in our lifetime.”
The next leadership needed to take a firm stand on economic policy to realise the Freedom Charter.
“What scares any investor is not nationalisation of mines or expropriation of land without compensation, but an endless discussion on the aforementioned.”
A leader needed the ability to inspire people and reinforce confidence in the ANC and transformation.
In the run-up to the elective conference in December, the party needed to take a stand against political violence and intimidation, she said.
“The ANC must act decisively to ensure that all comrades are afforded an opportunity to voice, without fear or favour, their preferences on leadership without the spectre of victimisation and even death hanging over them.” - Sapa