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Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa says it was a “painstaking effort” to make the national congress of the ANC Youth League possible.
Ramaphosa told congress delegates today at the start of the gathering held in Midrand in Johannesburg, that “the task of rebuilding, revitalising and uniting the youth league was challenging”, citing as an example the failed high court bid to block the congress yesterday.
“The holding of this congress is a huge milestone and achievement. We want to congratulate you for your perseverance. You all faced many obstacles, some internal and some external,” said Ramaphosa.
This included “a court challenge aimed at stopping the march to renew the soul and fibre of the youth league,” he said.
Ramaphosa said court challenges to ANC democratic processes were “a new tendency” that needed to be stopped.
“They are creeping in and they form the danger of the ANC being run by the courts,” he said.
“We cannot allow our ANC to be controlled and run by the courts. Those who rush to court clearly do not love the ANC. They love themselves more than they love the ANC,” he said.
More than 3000 delegates were expected to attend the congress, scheduled to be held until Sunday.
North West local government MEC Collin Maine had been mentioned as the leading candidate to become the league’s new president at the end of elections, scheduled for later on Friday.
Maine was nominated by six provinces ahead of the national congress. ANC national executive committee member Pule Mabe was nominated by the Western Cape. Eastern Cape and Gauteng failed to nominate a candidate.
Two other aspirant candidates, former league deputy president Ronald Lamola and Tshwane chairperson Lesego Makhubela, would need more than 25% of the more than 3000 congress delegates to stand a chance.
Ramaphosa said signs of ill-discipline in the ANC must be dealt with immediately. He said when there was “deviant behaviour, which militates against the values of ANC, we are required to act immediately”.
“If not, the ANC will be up for grabs,” he said, adding that if that were to happen then the ANC will be misled.
» For tweets and updates on the ANC Youth League conference follow political writer Setumo Stone on @setumostone, or follow City Press on @City_Press
