Johannesburg - Onnica Moloi stands a chance of becoming the first woman provincial chair of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL).
But her hopes will be realised only if branch delegates elect her during Limpopo’s provincial congress next month. Moloi, 34, is an ANC MPL. She has been an activist in youth politics at provincial level for more than a decade.
Recently, Ayanda Kasa-Ntsobi was a provincial secretary in Gauteng but no woman has been a provincial chair of the league since it was unbanned in 1990. South Africa’s consul-general in Chicago, Vuyiswa Tulelo, was ANCYL secretary-general until 2011.
Moloi has been in the league’s provincial executive committee before and while EFF leader Julius Malema was still the ANCYL provincial secretary. This was before Malema shot to national prominence in 2008. She is spokeswoman for the league’s provincial task team (PTT).
Moloi was part of the so-called Makhado Brigade, a faction that rebelled against Malema during the chaotic 2010 Makhado conference. At that congress, Malema courted controversy when he ordered police to kick out dissenters from the conference venue.
But it will not be smooth sailing to the top position for Moloi. She will be up against PTT convener Vincent Shoba. Another contender for the position is PTT member Donald Selamolela.
Moloi could not be reached for comment on Monday, but her lobbyist confirmed she would be contesting the position.
“Politically, Onnica is the most senior among the two comrades. She is certainly standing,” said the source.
Selamolela said: “If branches of the youth league were to express confidence in us, we are ready to serve.”
A source close to Selamolela’s faction said he stood a good chance.
“Initially, Onnica and Shoba were in the same faction. Now that both are contesting, it means their faction is divided,” said the source.