African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) yesterday stunned delegates at the World Federation of Democratic Youths General Council meeting by not acknowledging their party leader and South African President Jacob Zuma when they delivered solidarity messages.
Vice-president of the ANCYL Ronald Lamola in his introductory speech saluted African leaders, including President Robert Mugabe, Joachim Chissano, Sam Nujoma, and former South African President Thabo Mbeki.
As if to confirm their attitude towards their president, the youths claimed they were being victimised for their anti-imperialism stance yet the future of South Africa was in the hands of the youth and described African “elders” as conservative.
Lamola said: “We are here as ANCYL under difficult challenges in South Africa.
“We have condemned Africom in Botswana and we are being charged for that position. We have condemned that because we believe Africans should have self determination. We should determine our lives and we remain determined to fight against imperialism.
“We are unshaken and we will not surrender from defending the African continent.”
Youths from other countries, in apparent assumption it was a mistake, reminded him to recognise Zuma, but Lamola ignored the reminders and proceeded to vent the youth league’s anger on the manner South African youths were allegedly being treated for speaking out against imperialism.
Before Lamola’s solidarity message, another ANCYL representative Abner Mosaase had taken to the stage singing the banned Shoot the Boer song.
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Malema and other ANCYL leaders were suspended from the party for their attack on Botswana and on Zuma.
Speaking at the same occasion, the guest of honour, Zanu PF national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo said youths should act to fight imperialism and, in apparent reference to the MDC formations, said there were puppets in Zimbabwe who were fighting from the white man’s corner.
