ANCYL president Julius Malema was re-elected unopposed for a second term at the organisation's congress in Midrand on Friday.
“I can confirm that Malema has been re-elected,” the league's KwaZulu-Natal chairperson Mthandeni Dlungwana said.
Malema was unopposed after ANC Youth League Gauteng chairman Lebogang Maile declined the nomination to stand for the post.
Ronald Lamola, the league's Mpumalanga spokesman, was elected deputy president and Kenetswe Mosenogi, a member of the league's national executive committee, deputy secretary. Lamola is also Mpumalanga premier David Mabuza's spokesman.
KwaZulu-Natal ANCYL leader Sindiso Magaqa was elected league general secretary. Phule Mabe was re-elected treasurer.
Magaqa beat Eastern Cape ANCYL chairman Ayanda Matiti, and replaced Vuyiswa Tulelo, who did not stand because of her age.
City Press reported that Maile rejected rumours senior ANC Gauteng leaders, including provincial chairperson Paul Mashatile, had asked him to pull out in exchange for the position of being Malema's deputy.
“It's not true. Nobody can advise me to pull out because I am not their candidate,” he was quoted as saying.
Most of the 5500 delegates at their congress were vocal in their support for Malema on the first day of the event on Thursday, chanting and belting out songs with his name.
Maile, the league's Gauteng chairperson, had failed to secure nomination from at least three provinces ahead of the conference. Only Sedibeng gave him its backing.
He would have needed nominations from at least 30 percent of delegates from the floor to have stood a chance against Malema, City Press reported.
Magaqa told Sapa last night: “I feel very honoured. It is a huge task. I will make sure that I work hard to fulfil what my organisation will require me to do.” He intended making sure the ANCYL continued to be united.
Magaqa was born in Umzimkhulu when it was still part of the Eastern Cape. He studied law at the University of South Africa and has held positions in several organisations, including the Congress of SA Students and the youth league. He was a member of the league's Alfred Nzo regional executive committee before becoming chairman of the Harry Gwala Region for four terms.
On Saturday ANCYL spokesman Floyd Shivambu was expected to present details of the league's “economic freedom in our lifetime” programme. This details how it intends to nationalise the country's mines and take back “stolen” land. -
Sapa