ANCYL 'not about individuals'

The ANCYL is not about individuals, its national task team convenor Mzwandile Masina said on Tuesday.

   

"As we move forward to rebuild the structures of the organisation, we must build such structures and not concentrate on individuals," Masina said at the African National Congress Youth League's 69th anniversary celebration at the Old Academy Hall, which now houses the offices of the Johannesburg metro police.

   

Previous leaders, such as former president Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo, met at the venue in 1944 to form the ANCYL, said Masina. 

   

He said it would continue to pursue the course of economic freedom as adopted at its 2011 conference in Johannesburg.   

 

"We must learn from the 1944 generation that came to this venue to give birth to this organisation. 

   

"They delivered freedom to us 50 years later, and they had a clear programme of action. It is important to draw lessons from them." 

   

In order to achieve economic freedom, the issue of free quality education should be thoroughly addressed, he said.

   

The ANCYL was putting measures in place to deal with factionalism and "gate-keeping." 

   

"As we stand here, we are unable to tell you how many of you are members of the ANCYL. The task team is working tirelessly on such issues."

   

ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to speak at the event.

   

-Sapa