Zuma booed by ANC members in speech

AS SOUTH Africans remembered the lives of youths killed by apartheid police in 1976, hundreds of ANC members booed President Jacob Zuma while in the Eastern Cape others canvassed support for the upcoming provincial conference.

In a press statement the presidency’s Bongani Ngqulunga said only 10 people “attempted to disrupt” the president’s address but were quickly removed.

Addressing hundreds of people at Ventersdorp Zuma said: “The democratic government calls upon young people to work with us in all spheres of government, as we proceed to ensure that young people live in decent homes in communities with roads, electricity, water, recreational facilities.”

In the Eastern Cape, the race for the ANC provincial chairman position reached boiling point as frontrunners Phumulo Masualle and Oscar Mabuyane spoke at a different event.

Masualle’s bid for a third term received a boost when branches of the Ngquza Hill subregion in the O R Tambo region pledged their support for him.

This while a bullish Mabuyane, speaking in Duncan Village, gave his clearest indication yet that he will be contesting Masualle in the upcoming conference and believes he can defeat him.

Ingquza branches’ decision is contrary to that of the regional leadership, which pledged its support for provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane’s bid for the chairmanship.

The vote of confidence in Masualle was made in Lusikisiki yesterday at a Youth Day event.

In attendance were leaders from other regions and O R Tambo regional deputy chairman Pat Mdingi.

Masualle said the youth of 1976 played a crucial role in the fight for freedom and liberation of the country and that the youth of today had to identify its own struggle.

His opponent going to the ANC provincial conference, Mabuyane, was so confident yesterday that he spoke of an “incoming PEC” that will “not be found wanting”.

Mabuyane, a product of the ANCYL, attacked the party’s old guard for resisting the younger generation ascending to high positions.

“In the Eastern Cape, you must be 50 years and older to lead the ANC – no ways – how can we say a man as old as 35 with family and children is too young to lead?” asked Mabuyane.

He said young people must strive to embody the values of Solomon Mahlangu, who took the lead during the apartheid era. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za / zingisam@dispatch.co.za