'I run the ANC, and nobody will intimidate me': Mbalula slams booing, factionalism over Ehlanzeni outcomes
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula defies internal dissent, condemns booing and factionalism over the Ehlanzeni conference, reaffirming his leadership and commitment to a revived and vibrant Youth League.
Image: X@ANC
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has hit back at those who attempt to undermine ANC leadership through factionalism and public disruption, warning that no one will intimidate him or destabilise the party’s structures under his watch.
Addressing delegates at the second National General Council (NGC) of the ANC Youth League at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre in Kimberley on Friday, Mbalula responded directly to reports that some comrades from Mpumalanga intended to boo him over dissatisfaction with the recent 9th Ehlanzeni Regional Conference outcomes in Mbombela which was held over the weekend.
"You know I was told when I was coming here that I was going to be booed by my comrades from Mpumalanga because they are not happy about Ehlanzeni. Let me tell you, I run the ANC, and I belong to a collective, and nobody will intimidate me,” said Mbalula.
“You can boo me for decisions of the ANC, but (angeke ungishunduze ) you won’t push me around, (ngoba ngakhethwa e-conferenseni), because I was chosen at the conference,” he said.
Mbalula slammed the act of using ANC platforms to express factional anger, calling it unprincipled and reactionary.
“You cannot use the platform of the ANC to come and boo the ANC secretary-general because you are unhappy about the outcome of a conference in Ehlanzeni. That is wrong. That is un-ANC, it is anti-revolution, it is reactionary. You must go backwards and understand where you are.”
While acknowledging that not all members will always be happy, he emphasised the need for disciplined engagement within the ANC’s internal processes.
“In the ANC, you cannot be happy about everything, but you don't go around mobilizing negatively. You sit, you fight for what you believe is right where you are. People who do negative things, we know they don't last.”
He used the platform to reiterate his commitment to the ANC Youth League, praising its revival as one of the leadership’s key priorities after a period of collapse and dysfunction.
“When we came into office, our priority was to revive the Youth League. When we came into office, the Youth League was dead and we revived it. When we came, it had task teams, and we revived it and it elected the youth,” said Mbalula.
He hailed the current Youth League President Collen Malatji as a symbol of youthful, capable leadership.
“When you look at Collen, you don’t have to ask if he is old or young. You can see he is young. He is very young, educated, and smart. And this is the youth of the ANC,” he said. “And Collen Malatji is the first president who can at least have two terms, or even more.”
Mbalula condemned past tendencies of aging leaders overstaying in the Youth League, saying, “I left the Youth League when I was 37. The last Youth League president, before it collapsed, he was 37 and still fighting to remain.”
He insisted that under his leadership, the Youth League will not be subjected to unnecessary disciplinary processes.
“The Youth League will not go to Disciplinary Committee (DC). under our watch, because we also would’ve gone long time ago. It will not go to DC. As the SG, I will not take Collen to DC. Not Collen. There are people I will take. I won't take Collen, you know why, because Collen is allowed to make mistakes.”
Mbalula stressed the importance of mentorship over punishment. “Whenever I make mistakes, like Kgalema Motlanthe taught me and Sihle Zikalala, we must sit him down and advise him accordingly.”
He confirmed that the Youth League had requested an early conference, which will be considered by the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC).
“He (Collen)briefed me and the SG and said you want an early conference, you have agreed to that. So Collen must go and find money for it, that early conference – but it must first be agreed by the ANC NEC, and I’m going to report that to the NEC,'' Mbalula said.
Mbalula urged the Youth League to stay on course and continue providing leadership to young South Africans.
“Don’t be deterred. From time to time, when we remind you, don’t go out of line, don’t be deterred. Keep up the faith and lead the youth of the country because the youth want leadership. And you are providing it every day.”
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za
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