What Comrade Anton Lembede would say about the ANCYL today
I WOKE up to a dream where Cde Anton Lembede was telling me that:
“In the rebuilding of our glorious ANCYL, we must not rebuild this revolutionary youth voice to aid or fight factional battles in the ANC, but our focus must be to build active, strong and vibrant structures of the ANCYL for the attainment of the total emancipation of our people.
“We must be an ANCYL that will radically champion the general interests and rights of all young people in South Africa and the working class in the socio-economic and political life of the country without fear or favour.
“We must continue to rally the youth of our country to support and unite behind the ANCYL in particular and the ANC in general with an interest in actively participating in the struggle to create a non-racial, non-sexist, united, democratic and prosperous society.
“We must intensify our efforts to support and reinforce the ANC in the quest to renew our liberation movement, restore its integrity, value system and moral and ethical standing in society.
“Our boundless resources of vibrancy, energy, initiative and creativity ought to be given space to contribute meaningfully towards the attainment of the objectives of the national democratic revolution and the realisation of all clauses of the Freedom Charter.
“We must continue to make a rich contribution to the work of the ANC whilst positioning the youth at the centre of educational, moral and cultural upliftment.
“As we soldier on, rebuilding the legacy Oliver Tambo and the 1944 generation built and left for us, we must unite all young people in the promotion of gender equality, international solidarity for the liberation of all oppressed people, peace and the realisation of an African Renaissance.
“Young people must continue to be vibrant and consistent critical thinkers whilst grooming and building a strong mass of young intelligentsia that will lead debates on pressing matters affecting our people. These include Covid19, its effects on our economies, vaccinations and effects of digitalisation of existing jobs. They should imagine a post Covid-19 reality that will reflect an advance towards the victory of our national democratic revolution.
“Socio-economic freedom is coming soon, get all young people ready and prepared for your freedom. Unity must be your constant preoccupation and revolution must be your constant condition. The future is the youth, unban and lead yourselves now.”
Indeed, Cde Anton Lembede continues to live on through us. Thanks Cde President Lembede for visiting me in my dream and I hope you shall continue to visit all young people in South Africa in defence of the revolution which you were prepared to die for.