ANC youth nominate Motlanthe for president

THE African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) yesterday announced its support for either Mathews Phosa or Tokyo Sexwale for the position of ANC deputy president when the party decides on a new leadership in Mangaung later this year.

This comes as the league officially nominated Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe for the position of ANC president, following the lifting of a ban on formal discussions about party leadership at the weekend.

The league was expected to push for Mr Motlanthe, but divisions within those pushing for change point to the need for the league to remain flexible in the run-up to Mangaung, especially if it is to secure support for its former president, Fikile Mbabula. The league wants Mr Mbalula to take over from Gwede Mantashe as ANC secretary-general.

Speaking at a briefing yesterday, ANCYL deputy president Ronald Lamola said further discussions were required before formally nominating candidates for the remaining four of the top six ANC positions,

The ANCYL would engage with other structures of the ANC on the following names: deputy secretarygeneral Thandi Modise, ANC Gauteng chairman Paul Mashatile and ANC national executive committee member Thenjiwe Mtintso for positions within the top six.

These engagements would see Mr Phosa, the ANC treasurer, “preferably” filling the position of deputy president, while Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale should also be considered. Mr Sexwale could alternatively become party treasurer, Mr Lamola said.

The ANCYL will be sending 45 delegates, about 1% of the total figure of 4,500, to the elective congress.