Embattled youth leaders visit Winnie in hospital

THE ANC Youth League’s embattled leadership, led by expelled president Julius Malema, visited struggle heroine Winnie Mandela in hospital yesterday to seek words of wisdom.

Though Malema has been stripped of the youth league presidency and membership by an ANC disciplinary process, the league continues to refer to him as its president and it was in this capacity that he was said to have visited Mandela, who broke her wrist in a fall last week.

He was accompanied by youth league secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa and spokesman Floyd Shivambu, both suspended by the ANC, as well as the league’s deputy president, Ronald Lamola, among others.

“Mama Winnie encouraged us to be strong and continue to fight during these trying times. She reminded us of the challenges faced by the ANC Youth League during the late 1940s, and encouraged us that as leadership of the youth, we carry the responsibility and obligation of building a prosperous future for the ANC and the nation,” said the league’s spokeswoman, Magdalene Moonsamy, in a statement.

She said the youth league had always been inspired by Mandela’s words of encouragement and strength.

Moonsamy said the youth league had wished “Mama Winnie” a speedy recovery and hoped that she remained in high spirits.

Meanwhile, the ANC Women’s League has reported that Mandela is recovering well and her condition has improved since she was admitted to hospital last week.

“We hope she will be back to good health in no time at all and ready to continue with her valuable contribution to the organisation and the country as a whole,” the women’s league’s spokeswoman, Troy Martens, said in a statement.