Gauteng youth leader lobbied to rival Malema in poll A NEW threat to ANC
Youth League president Julius Malema is shaping up behind the scenes, with
Gauteng chairman Lebogang Maile emerging as a likely challenger.
SIBONGAKONKE SHOBA and SAM MKOKELI
Published: 2010/10/20 06:22:41 AM
A NEW threat to African National Congress (ANC) Youth League president
Julius Malema is shaping up behind the scenes, with powerful Gauteng
chairman Lebogang Maile emerging as a likely challenger in leadership
elections next year.
Sources close to Mr Maile confirmed yesterday he has been approached by
leaders of the league in several provinces.
The Eastern Cape and Limpopo are understood to be lobbying leaders in
KwaZulu-Natal to join the campaign. The outcome of the league’s succession
battle has implications for the ANC mother body, given the league’s
traditional role as “kingmaker” and given that Gauteng has considerable
influence in policy discussions in the ANC.
Gauteng’s leadership is thought to be sympathetic towards Deputy President
Kgalema Motlanthe .
While not strongly opposed to President Jacob Zuma , Gauteng’s influence
in the league could be a factor if Mr Motlanthe were to run for the ANC’s
presidency .
Insiders say those who have lobbied Mr Maile include powerful Eastern
Cape league chairman Ayanda Matiti, who is vying for the secretary-general
post.
Mr Matiti has denied knowledge of a plot to unseat Mr Malema. Mr Matiti
was a staunch Malema backer until two months ago when an elective congress
in the Eastern Cape backed his bid to succeed secretary-general Vuyiswa
Tulelo. Sources said this angered Mr Malema, who prefer s a candidate who
does not question his authority.
As a result, sources said, Mr Matiti then approached Mr Maile to take on Mr
Malema.
Mr Maile played down succession talk yesterday.
“It’s premature to talk about leadership issues in the ANC Youth League
right now. We must focus on local government elections.
“When the right time comes (to discuss succession), it should not be in
the media, but it must be a process started by provinces.”
It is thought that if Mr Maile publicly announces his candidacy now,
his Gauteng executive may be victimised by Mr Malema and his executive,
limiting his ability to campaign.
While the league’s support for Mr Malema is divided on the ground, he has
the backing of the majority of his national executive.
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