Where’s the Youth to Facilitate Change Like 70s Youngsters did?

By Cyril Skosana
@McCyrus_Skosana

Photo:dumirocks.wordpress.com

The youth of South Africa played a colossal role in the course of the struggle, scrapping face to face against the apartheid regime that kept the black race and its youth subdued for an extensive and utmost regrettable period. As documented in historical books, music, documentaries and films; it is unmistakable to say that the youth deserve extended credit for a democratic country we inhabit.

The role played by those who took the forefront in fighting against a system that sought to oppress the black race is of much significance. We could use it today, don’t you think? Here’s the pickle, there’s always a consequential pressure that naturally emanates from winning a battle. If you win, you need to keep your guards up to hold on to your throne. As you would expect, a loser will not by any chance rest after suffering loss. A good way to celebrate victory –according to my insignificant opinion, is protecting your position in any undertakings you may face. That being said, I have no doubt whatsoever for believing that our heroes stand weeping as they gaze at us from the heavens –if they do exist.

Chikane Says the ANC Won't Survive Another 100

Sthembiso Sithole 

@sitholeexpress

The African National Congress (ANC) celebrates 100 years as a political organisation this year but some former insiders are the biggest critics of the party’s current leadership. Expelled ANC Youth League president, Julius Malema, has been on a campaign of telling South Africans that President Jacob Zuma isn’t fit to lead South Africa’s ruling party and thus the country. Malema was one of the men that campaigned heavily for President Jacob Zuma when former president Thabo Mbeki was asked to resign and was replaced by his deputy Kgalema Motlanthe. Malema has apologised to South Africans saying he misled them when he supported Jacob Zuma.

Rev. Frank Chikane who was Director General in the Presidency when Mbeki was recalled authored his version of those events in a book called, Eight Days in September. Chikane spoke at the Think! Fest in Grahamstown earlier this week as part of The National Arts Festival at Rhodes University. He says the organisation that fought for the end of apartheid and eventually led South Africa’s first democratically elected government will not survive another hundred years as the party is already divided. “If you put a list of factionalism you institutionalise it. The elected group became a faction rather than leaders of the organisation.”

Holomisa, COPE: History Must be a Worrying Factor for Populist Malema

Gift Ngobeni

@nyikogifted

After much waiting on 29 February 2012 the African National Congress (ANC) finally announced in the evening that ANC Youth League leader, Julius Malema, has been expelled from South Africa’s ruling party. Malema has been found guilty of portraying the ANC government and its leadership, under President Jacob Zuma, in a negative light and for propagating racism. The youth leader called for the change of government in neighbouring Botswana despite President Ian Khama being elected through a democratic process. Malema has also been found guilty of propagating racism or political intolerance for his utterances, at an election rally in Gaeleshewe, Kimberley in May 2011 when he said white South Africans should be treated as criminals for stealing land from black people.

While many youths seem to think it’s unusual for the ANC to get rid of ill-disciplined popular members in this manner, some may remember that  on 30 September 1996, under the leadership of Nelson Mandela, Bantu Holomisa was expelled from the ANC by unanimous decision of the ANC National Executive Committee. Holomisa had been an ANC member for a very brief period, joining the organisation in 1994. Yet, in that year, he had emerged from the December National Conference as one of the most popular leaders of the organisation. On 24 September 1996, The Star newspaper reported that Holomisa did not understand political debate and South Africa’s broader political realities and thus could not function within a “progressive” organisation such as South Africa’s ruling party.