 Covert jostling in youth league begins A SCRAMBLE for control of the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League has begun as leaders prepare for the possible expulsion of the body’s president, Julius Malema, from the ruling party. This succession battle could further divide the league, weakening both its campaign to remove ANC president Jacob Zuma and its ability to push the ANC to adopt its call for mines to be nationalised. Already the league’s KwaZulu-Natal executive committee has expressed support for Mr Zuma’s re-election. Insiders, who asked not to be named for fear of being accused of causing divisions, have told Business Day that league treasurer-general Pule Mabe has been approached to replace Mr Malema should he be expelled . Mr Mabe could be up against secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa, who is said also to be interested in Mr Malema’s job. Although Mr Malema has not publicly endorsed a successor, sources said he would be "comfortable" with Mr Mabe. They are close allies and have served in same structure since 2008. Mr Mabe yesterday denied he had been approached, saying: "No, no, no. Don’t involve me in those things. We are not talking about those things." Mr Magaqa also denied he was interested in Mr Malema’s position. "That’s nonsense. I don’t have those ambitions," he said. But sources close to Mr Magaqa said he had told a number of people his turn to lead the league had come "earlier than planned". The insider said: "He wants that position." According to the league constitution, if a president is fired, a deputy takes over until a formal election. Elections can be held at a national general council, which is due to sit in December next year. A leader said it could be brought forward. Should Mr Malema be fired, his deputy, Ronald Lamola, is expected to be president until then. The league yesterday called on the ANC to discipline the KwaZulu- Natal league executive committee for raising the succession debate. The league’s KwaZulu-Natal chairman, Mthandeni Dlungwane, has said Mr Malema’s executive wants to disband the KwaZulu-Natal structure because of its support for Mr Zuma’s bid for a second term. League spokesman Floyd Shivambu said Mr Dlungwane’s statements had violated ANC directives. "These comrades have decided to venture into discussions, which the ANC said should not happen now due to their divisive potential." Mr Dlungwane accused him of double standards. Mr Dlungwane said that in the first national executive committee meeting of the league after the June congress , "Floyd led a discussion on succession. In that meeting, the issue of succession was discussed thoroughly." KwaZulu- Natal’s stance on Mr Zuma’s second term was a resolution of the province’s last conference. Divisions between KwaZulu- Natal leaders and national leaders emerged last month when the province refused to support Mr Malema when he appeared before the ANC’s disciplinary committee. National leaders tried to convene a meeting with their KwaZulu-Natal counterparts on Sunday but that did not materialise. Another meeting has been scheduled for this coming Sunday. [email protected] -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] . |
- [YCLSA Discussion] The scramble for control of the post-Ma... Dominic Tweedie
