Tuesday, May 25, 2010

ANC Youth Leader Gains Support in South Africa

Malema support builds

By Bongani Mthembu & Noluthando Mkhize
Tue, 25 May 2010 08:58

The KwaZulu-Natal ANCYL has backed the re-election of Julius Malema as president at the league's national elective conference next year.

"The congress has resolved to support Malema's re-election during the national elective conference next year," African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) provincial secretary, Bheki Mtolo told a press briefing in Durban on Monday.

The bloc, led by Mtolo, scooped all five top posts during the league's provincial congress held over the weekend at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Howard College. It was scheduled to have finished on Sunday, but a chaotic registration process caused delays.

Mtolo, who recently endorsed Malema's re-election next year, retained his post, beating Wandile Mkhize by a slight margin.

Mthandeni Dlungane beat Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu for the chairman position.

The KZN election results had been seen as a major boost for the beleaguered Malema, whose re-election bid was expected to be challenged by his deputy Andile Lungisa.

The race for ANCYL national positions has divided the youth wing into those supporting Malema and those wanting him replaced by Lungisa.

The elective conference in the Eastern Cape had to be cancelled because of disputes over credentials and a bomb scare.

Leaders calm delegates

Youth league leaders on Monday managed to calm delegates who walked out of the KwaZulu-Natal congress after election results were announced. ANCYL leaders, including national general secretary Vuyiswa Tulelo, spent more than 30 minutes persuading them to return to the hall.

They told them boycotting the congress would cast the organisation in a bad light.

Those who walked out were mainly from the lower south coast and claimed some of their delegates has been deliberately disqualified to make it easy for Mtolo's faction to win.

Abaqulusi regional member Lindani Zwane said 31 delegates from his region were not given name tags to qualify to vote.

"We saw from the very outset that these guys were trying to rig the whole election process," Zwane said.

Leaders told delegates it would have been better if they had raised their concerns before the election.

Sindiso Magaqa was chosen deputy chairman while Siboniso Duma was elected deputy secretary. Yolanda Young got the treasurer position.

Outlining the youth league's programme of action, Mtolo said his organisation would work hard to ensure they won overwhelmingly in IFP strongholds during the upcoming elections.

The league intended to start its election campaign in September.

"We will also campaign for government to avail more funds for the fight against HIV and unemployment," Mtolo said.

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