The decision to change the status of the YL conference has generated a lot of positive and negative responses. Let me state from the beginning that I am not one of those questioning the ANC right and RESPONSIBILITY to intervene in the YLs affairs, especially if the situation requires such. I think the problem started with the dissolution. It is my opinion that the dissolution of the YL was informed by factional and triumphalist considerations and not political imperatives. As expected, the NTT was also a factional appointment which did not do the YL any good. The worst part was appointing comrades who had ambitions of leading the YL. I have observed some of these comrades and I think they are capable cadres whose appointment in the YL compromised their chances of leading, given that they will be labelled referee/player as has happened. The ANC NEC knew before us about the YL conference and I assume, accepted the date. It therefore, baffles the mind as to why the top 6 would choose to postpone or change the status of the conference a day before its commencement. Given my belief that the initial intervention was informed by factional agendas, I cannot help but suspect that factionalism has reared its ugly head again. One has to ask the question, what has changed between when the date was announced and now. I believe the date was prematurely announced because from a distance, the YL is not ready for a conference. I was excited at the decision to deploy the DSG to assist because I believed such an intervention was necessary. However, I believe it has not yielded the desired outcomes and we should have allowed the process to unfold. Rushing the conference was very unfortunate. The decision by the top 6 has created suspicion and tainted the whole rebuilding process. We need to be told of the reasons why the decision was made and I hope it happens at the conference. Failure to do that will only deepen the divisions and give credence to the suspicion, amongst others, that the top 6 are paving the way for a preferred candidate. There must be political reasons why the conference was postponed. It is equally wrong for some in the YL to say they will defy and proceed with elections at the conference. These are Malema tendencies which must not find room in the YL. However, delegates must insist on a plausible explanation. There is a line between democratic centralism and dictatorship. Our leadership remains accountable and must explain their decisions to us. Wishing the YL a successful consultative conference.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 20:39:19 +0000