Youth league purges rebels in its ranks

NEC member accused of leading campaign for Cyril

The ANC Youth League has begun purging members who are not toeing the line in its support for presidential hopeful Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

One of the league’s targets – Thembi Siweya – is said to be campaigning for Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to be the next ANC leader.

Siweya, who is the league’s national executive committee (NEC) member, does not agree with the decision to support Dlamini-Zuma.

Her troubles came two months after she wrote an open letter to the league’s president, Collen Maine.

Youth league leaders are angered by the fact that Siweya has been criss-crossing the country campaigning with Ramaphosa and former KwaZulu-Natal premier Senzo Mchunu, who is seen as the key man in Ramaphosa’s campaign.

Siweya insisted she had been invited by the youth league and ANC structures to address them about various issues.

The ANCYL leaders are also not happy that Siweya has established a non-governmental organisation called Africa Unmasked that is giving books to schools in rural areas.

Siweya said Africa Unmasked was founded in 2014 – long before she served in the league’s committee and that she has been doing a lot of work in the continent.

“In fact, we have been donating books, sanitary towels, school bags and school uniforms as early as January this year,” Siweya said, adding that “we don’t owe anyone an explanation”.

Although she does not agree with the decision to back Dlamini-Zuma, she said she respected the league’s decision.

“The ANCYL, beyond names, must be preoccupied with other issues which are of serious and urgent concern to young people.

“We must give hope to an ordinary young person who is seeking a better life,” she said.

Maine said the league would take disciplinary action against Siweya. “We are not aware that she is campaigning for Cyril,” Maine said. “But if we find out that she is campaigning for Cyril, we will take action against her.

“There is an NEC decision on the matter [leadership] and that decision should be effected,” he said.