The old and restful

[View in browser]( [Mail & Guardian]( M&G Mornings | Fri 30 Jun   One thing you will never fault Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema on is his organising capability. Having been witness to many of his programmes since establishing the party, anything driven by Malema is usually well thought through and managed. One would imagine that this trait was nurtured during his time as ANC Youth League leader. During Malema’s tenure in the league, the “radical young lion”, as they are known, undertook with success programmes that pulled the main party to the left, with the adoption of land expropriation without compensation as well as the burning of labour broker resolutions. Under Malema, the league fought for what they called progressive ideals that would later become part of the ANC’s DNA. These included free education, the nationalisation of key economic sectors, the refinement of state tenders and housing for all. This was a league that one might say was properly defined, had relative autonomy from its mother body and steered its policy and ideological direction. Fast forward to 2023, the league has been marred by factional battles for positions rather than policy discussions. An example of this are the videos circulating on social media depicting a chaotic registration process for its elective conference expected to commence this weekend. Although the league under Malema’s presidency was not without its own controversies — after all he led the fight to absolve Jacob Zuma of charges of rape and the removal of then president Thabo Mbeki in 2008 — he is still considered the last real president of the league. One wonders how 2023’s cohort of young leaders will revive what has been a dormant organisation since Malema’s expulsion in 2012. Will we see this batch of leaders taking up space in the ANC organisation and society, or are we going to experience another festival of chairs at their upcoming conference? One thing is for certain, without a functioning and coherent youth structure, the ANC will fail to organise the country’s young people to get them to vote and will inevitably die a quick and painful death. Lizeka Tandwa | M&G politics editor [Former police minister Fikile Mbalula speaks about former president Jacob Zuma and the ANC's call for Julius Malema to come back into the fold.]( Premium [Butt out, Youth League tells ANC leaders]( The league’s members say its elective conference has been delegitimised by interference [// Read more]( Articles labelled as Premium are only available to subscribers. [CLICK HERE]( to subscribe Already a subscriber? [SIGN IN HERE]( [DA launches KZN election campaign in South Africa]( Premium [Claims of DA corruption cover-up in eThekwini]( But party says Ronnie Pillay failed to back up his allegations with any evidence that councillors collected bribes [// Read more]( [TOPSHOT-OLY-2022-BEIJING-OPENING-VIPS]( Premium [Ramaphosa affidavit on Putin ‘confidential’]( The presidency said a provision in the Rome Statute obliged ICC member states to deal with requests for assistance on a confidential basis [// Read more]( Recommended Reads [Despite Zondo’s recommendations, intelligence services will remain secret]( Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said on Thursday that no new amendments regarding overseeing the intelligence services would be enacted [// Read more]( [Energy crisis factors into SA credit trends]( Financial conditions are tight but demand for credit has remained robust in the face of interest rate hikes [// Read more]( [Gregory Maqoma’s emotional last dance]( This was his faultless dancer’s farewell to a festival which he has also graced as a choreographer and innovator [// Read more]( [Wins for Patriotic Alliance, IFP, DA in latest by-elections]( PA leader Gayton McKenzie said his party won the coveted Ward 7 in Johannesburg because voters “rejected nonsense” from the DA and ActionSA [// Read more]( [How Dr Nandipha betrayed the notion of a ‘good doctor’]( A respectful, honourable medic will uphold the trust that is bestowed on them by opting out of prioritising personal interests over the best interests of the public [// Read more]( Pic of the day [POW_10x7] [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( Mail & Guardian Media LTD · 25 Owl St · Braamfontein · Johannesburg, Gauteng 2001 · South Africa