Some ANC veterans warn about juniorisation of decision-making bodies
For years, the ANC Youth League has been criticised for excluding young people from its leadership structures.
FILE: An African National Congress (ANC) flag flies outside a polling station in Langa, near Cape Town, on 1 November 2021. Picture: AFP
JOHANNESBURG - As the African National Congress (ANC) continues to face internal calls to field younger candidates in top positions and government posts, some of the party’s veterans have warned about the juniorisation of decision-making bodies.
For years, the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) has been criticised for excluding young people from its leadership structures.
Speaking at the 70th anniversary of the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) in Rivonia on Wednesday, ANC Veterans League president Snuki Zikala weighed in on calls for a generational mix in the mother body.
In a bid to renew and re-energise the country’s biggest political party, the ANC has since included younger recruits in its structures.
This includes the recent appointment of the youngest member in the ANC national executive committee (NEC) as the party’s new economic head.
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Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Zuko Godlimpi has replaced Mmamoloko Kubayi as the head of the ANC’s economic transformation committee – one of the party’s most strategic committees.
Godlimpi’s appointment has mostly been welcomed, with the 32-year-old described as a rising star in the party.
Zikala said a generational mix is important for the party’s succession plan, but said skills and experience are equally key.
“There is a generational mix, but there is also a question about people being given senior positions without going through the mill.”
Zikala added that the ANC’s appointments need to be based on merit.
“Young people need to strive to be better educated, better skilled so that they can better serve society. We believe in merit, in meritocracy where young people are being given the opportunity to study then come back and provide these skills to the organisation.”