Headline Youth In The ANC Renewal Discourse – By Kutloano Rakosa

We should appreciate that the ANCYL has been at the centre of development and renewal of the ANC and the country.  It was in fact the ANCYL that shaped the ANC under the most difficult period of the struggle. The question may arise, where exactly should renewal begin – in the ANC or ANCYL? Historical perspective has proven beyond reasonable doubt that the younger generation are better placed to lead the renewal process towards realisation of the kind of movement that they want to inherit.

To suggest that the debate on organizational renewal within the ranks of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) should unfold independently from broader political discussions in the ANC would be an obfuscation of the truth. The thinking behind such a discussion should be informed by various strands of political thought and resolutions adopted in successive conferences.

Such an approach would cast light into the kind of qualities required to build an organization that responds practically to some of the pressing challenges related to political decay in the ANCYL. This article seeks to shed light on the prospects of organizational renewal within the ANCYL. It asks – what kind of principles must the ANCYL adopt to rally the youth behind the vision of a united and prosperous South Africa?

The defects of the ANC led to a more radical and militant characterization of the ANCYL. The latter drafted a Programme of Action (POA) to counter these inabilities of the ANC. It established that the structure of the mother body was inefficient and ineffective for the struggle (at the time) against white minority rule. Urgently, the ANCYL fought long and hard for the mother body to stretch its reach and to become a mass movement in order for the masses of our people to be part of the struggle.

This was to become an important moment where the masses of our people would join the movement and shape the nature of the struggle. Support from the masses grew and the ANC was at the fore front with ANCYL leaders at the centre. In the late 1940’s boycotts, protest and civil disobedience were key features of the POA.

Extension of the reach of the ANCYL was crucial if it was to realise its vision. This roll-out would shape what was to be the form of ANCYL. It led to establishment of students’ organizations, sporting formations and others, ensuring young people across the length and breadth of society play an active part in the struggle.

The foresight of that generation of the ANCYL is something that we should all look at as reference. This must be done not to chastise other generations, but to learn and emulate for the successful implementation of the NDR. In its very first Constitution, this was the vision of the ANCYL:

• “To arouse and encourage national consciousness and unity among African Youth
• To assist, support and re-inforce the African National Congress in its struggle for National Liberation of the African people.
• To study political, economic and social problems of Africa and the world.
• To strive and work for educational, moral and cultural advancement of African Youth.”

The understanding that stands out is that we will never achieve freedom unless we work together as a united African people.  Even if at the time there was wrestling about acceptance of Nationalism as the basic ideology and there was an active participation of communist in the ANC.

The Early Years

Interestingly, debates about building the ANCYL has been raised throughout the development and emergence of the organization. Such debates were part of efforts to build a stronger movement.

After its launch some felt the organization was largely unknown and not making real impact in both its content and form. Some went further to argue that most of its leaders were working and leading in the mother body and therefore preoccupied.

The ANCYL didn’t have branches and operated as small units within branches of the ANC. Lack of resource to organize and mobilise became a hindrance. Duma Nokwe explains that “at times the ANCYL would have its meetings at the sidelines of the mother body’s annual conferences, though discussions would be mainly about the party line to be taken”

The ANCYL 1944 founding Constitution stated that, (Giffard C, 1984:35); “membership was open to Africans between the ages of 12-40 years of age, and that members older than 17 years of age will automatically be members of Congress”

Later the draft ANCYL Constitution read “membership of the League is open to all South African between the ages of 14 and 30 who support the policy and guidelines”

Even at its establishment the age debate was an issue. What than should be the approach today? The African Union Youth Charter and United Nations Charter respectively have a different definition on the matter. Interestingly this debate is only in the progressive youth movement and not broader youth sector.

In fact, some within the 35 to 40 years of age regard themselves as youth. This is a mechanical debate which in truth is about a battle of control of the ANCYL. In the light of the renewal of the youth movement, a careful thought should be applied to deal with this matter and the extent to which it will have impact on the National Youth Policy. Where do we place those we will exclude as a result? Should we not, like the founding members, extent the age of youth to 40?

Basic tenets of renewal

We should appreciate that the ANCYL has been at the centre of development and renewal of the ANC and the country.  It was in fact the ANCYL that shaped the ANC under the most difficult period of the struggle. The question may arise, where exactly should renewal begin – in the ANC or ANCYL? Historical perspective has proven beyond reasonable doubt that the younger generation are better placed to lead the renewal process towards realisation of the kind of movement that they want to inherit.

The ANCYL has unfortunately disappeared in so far as struggles of the youth is concerned. The youth have been far ahead in youth struggles and the ANCYL is battling to catch up. ANCYL must debate its organizational design and if it is non-racial by book but not by outlook. With this we will be in a position to not only reach out, but to assume our rightful space in the discourse as a leader of all young people.

The role of the ANCYL in this current conjuncture is to clearly define for the ordinary masses and the youth that the vision is no longer to attain democracy since we are living in it. The ANC fought for democracy and cannot be opposed on something it successfully struggled for. Instead, because of this success, young people are obliged to support and vote for ANC.

Flowing from this must be an honest debate about the wide gap between the youth and the ANCYL – do young people still believe that ANCYL can champion their interests? The point can be made that part of the reason young people refuse to join and support ANCYL is that the organization have been coopted and behave like gatekeepers whilst not providing alternative views or representation ideals of the youth.  An example is the extent validation by ANC leaders is sought instead of the youth.

In essence the ANCYL does not heed the call of ANC President Xuma who in the 1944 Conference said:

“You have been summoned to assemble in this hall, to discuss an important question, the question of the formation of an organization to solve the problem of African people, a problem of a future South Africa…You have been called upon to discuss the formation of a Youth League under the African National Congress. The proposal of the formation of this organization was passed in Bloemfontein in 1942, also confirmed in 1943, by the Conference of the African National Congress.”

Significantly, President A.B. Xuma said “… to solve a problem of African people, a problem of a future South Africa”.

After the establishment of the ANCYL and the realization of a mass movement, leaders understood that political work cannot be carried out unless ANCYL swell the ranks and establish progressive movements/forums. For example many leaders at tertiary institutions join student movements and play a leading role in advancing the vision and mission of the youth movement. To an extent even going as far as participating in debating societies, church (youth structures), sports, arts and culture forums to galvanise young people and shaping the direction how each sector participate in the struggle.

Majority of these structures were led by leaders of the youth movement, and as a result very few, if any structures opposed the ANC.

Should ANCYL not be re-established, revived and participate in all progressive movements it runs the risk of being extinct. It must be strengthened to respond to present day challenges and be reminded that to be a leader of the youth is earned and not transferred or hereditary because the ANC is a leader of society.

ENDS/