ANC Youth League president Collen Malatji has accused older leaders of damaging the African National Congress (ANC), calling on young members to rise and take over senior positions in the party.
“Pensioners are killing the ANC every day,” Malatji said during campaigning in the Eastern Cape, directing his criticism at ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe following his departure from the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) national congress.
Mantashe left the gathering in Kempton Park on Monday, 12 October, after disagreeing with the scheduled order of speakers. He reportedly wanted the ANC to address delegates after the South African Communist Party and the South African National Civic Organisation.
Malatji criticised the decision, saying the ANC should respect its alliance partners and should not dictate how COSATU organises its programme.
He described the incident as irresponsible and arrogant, arguing that it risked reinforcing perceptions that the ANC considers itself superior to its alliance partners.
Malatji wants young leaders to take over
Malatji also used the controversy to renew his call for veteran ANC leaders to retire and allow younger members to lead the organisation.
He referred to Mantashe’s previously announced intention not to seek another leadership position at the ANC’s 2027 elective conference, saying his departure and that of other veteran leaders would create an opportunity for younger politicians to take charge.
“The sooner he retires with his friends, the better, so that we take over the ANC and correct it,” Malatji said.
He went further, calling on young ANC members to remove older leaders from their positions if they refused to step aside voluntarily.
“If they don’t retire voluntarily, the youth of the African National Congress must rise and remove them out of positions and install ourselves.”
Malatji argued that the ANC’s historical legacy should not be undermined by the conduct of its current leadership.
Mantashe defends his decision
Mantashe subsequently defended his actions, arguing that the ANC’s position in the tripartite alliance and the established order of speakers should be respected.
He also dismissed the description of his departure as a walkout, saying he had simply chosen not to address the gathering.
The exchange has brought renewed attention to tensions over leadership renewal within the ANC, with Malatji pushing for younger members to assume greater responsibility while Mantashe maintains that the alliance’s traditions remain important.
The debate comes as political parties intensify their campaigns ahead of South Africa’s local government elections.
