ANC disrespects us – Nkabinde

ANC YOUTH League presidential hopeful Reggie Nkabinde has accused the party’s leadership of undermining the youth body after the organisation was sidelined during struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s funeral.

While ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe and EFF leader Julius Malema were given platform to speak on behalf of their respective political organisations, the ANCYL was not included on the programme.

ANC head of elections Fikile Mbalula was instead allowed to speak “on behalf of young South Africans”, a matter which has outraged the league.

Yesterday, Nkabinde said their sidelining was the result of the lack of respect the ANC leadership had for its youth wing.

“That was definitely a sign of the extent to which the ANC Youth League is undermined by the ANC leadership. You cannot have a funeral of Mama and not give us space. Mama has been known to be a leader who was closer to young people during her activism.

“For me, this was a clear vote of no confidence on the ANC Youth League and the ANC needs to explain to us why they sidelined us from paying a tribute to Mama. It is clear that the ANC does not take the leadership of the league serious,” Nkabinde said.

Nkabinde’s complaints come just days after ANCYL president Collen Maine admitted to having met with the controversial Gupta family, which has been accused of looting the state by using political leaders and heads of state owned entities through their close ties with former president Jacob Zuma.