he ANC Youth League on Tuesday declared itself the best such
organisation in the world, adding that critics of it are just
jealous.
"There is no other youth political organisation in the world,
which has as much influence on development, justice and redress as
the ANC Youth League," ANCYL spokesman Floyd Shivambu said in a
statement.
"Opposition parties will of course be jealous and object to
compliments on the ANC Youth League president because they do not
have vibrant youth formations," he said.
His explanation came in the wake of an article in The Star
newspaper which reported that President Jacob Zuma described leader
Julius Malema at the weekend as a "leader in the making" and worthy
of "inheriting the ANC".
Zuma's comments were criticised by the Democratic Alliance's
Youth League who said endorsing Malema as worthy of "inheriting the
ANC" was like saying "Goebbels was a romantic poet", referring to
Joseph Goebbels, who was German dictator Adolf Hitler's propaganda
minister.
The Christian Democratic Alliance called on Zuma to retract his
remarks, saying "crowning Malema as crown prince, will do
incredible harm to South Africa's international image".
However, on Tuesday, the ANCYL shot back saying it "totally
agree[d]" with Zuma's praise of Malema.
"President Julius Malema is a true, capable and caring leader of
the youth of South Africa and no one will stop us from appreciating
his capable leadership."
On Tuesday, the ANC said the DA's youth league criticism was
"ill-informed" and smacked of "political opportunism".
The party said Zuma's remarks about Malema were "historically
correct" in keeping with a culture of leadership development within
the party.
"Malema... like any other member of the ANC, who has been
schooled in the politics of the organisation, can assume any
leadership position within the ANC if elected."
Citing the example of African National Congress leaders such as
Anton Lembede, Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, and AP
Mda, the ANC said its youth division had long produced "leaders of
distinction".
The party said more recently, Peter Mokaba, Malusi Gigaba and
Fikile Mbalula had all become members of the party's national
executive committee.
"We have no doubt in our minds that Comrade Julius Malema can
follow in the footsteps of such leaders."
The Youth League's Shivambu said Malema did "not pay lip
service" to caring for the "poor and downtrodden".
"He has contributed to the studies of many poor children, built
houses for poor families, helped orphanages with basic needs, and
provided teaching and learning support materials to many schools
across the country."
Calling the league, " the most formidable youth political
organisation, not only in South Africa, but also in the entire
continent and the world", Shivambu said its "fearlessness, vibrancy
and unmitigated focus to development" set it apart.
"The ANC Youth League continues to inspire hope to many South
Africans."
Zuma made headlines when he sang Malema's praises in Limpopo on
Sunday.
"Some of us are no longer young, and when we go across the
mountain in terms of age, we are happy that when we go on, the
organisation will remain in real hands of [those] who will think
about the people," Zuma reportedly said.
"The ANC recognises talent and leadership and we give people an
opportunity.
"Julius has illustrated that he is indeed a good leader and that
he understands the people," said Zuma.
He was speaking in Malema's hometown of Seshego, where the youth
league leader had helped to build a house and a church.
Zuma asked the congregation to pray for Malema "not to falter
along the way, because here you have a leader in the making".
organisation in the world, adding that critics of it are just
jealous.
"There is no other youth political organisation in the world,
which has as much influence on development, justice and redress as
the ANC Youth League," ANCYL spokesman Floyd Shivambu said in a
statement.
"Opposition parties will of course be jealous and object to
compliments on the ANC Youth League president because they do not
have vibrant youth formations," he said.
His explanation came in the wake of an article in The Star
newspaper which reported that President Jacob Zuma described leader
Julius Malema at the weekend as a "leader in the making" and worthy
of "inheriting the ANC".
Zuma's comments were criticised by the Democratic Alliance's
Youth League who said endorsing Malema as worthy of "inheriting the
ANC" was like saying "Goebbels was a romantic poet", referring to
Joseph Goebbels, who was German dictator Adolf Hitler's propaganda
minister.
The Christian Democratic Alliance called on Zuma to retract his
remarks, saying "crowning Malema as crown prince, will do
incredible harm to South Africa's international image".
However, on Tuesday, the ANCYL shot back saying it "totally
agree[d]" with Zuma's praise of Malema.
"President Julius Malema is a true, capable and caring leader of
the youth of South Africa and no one will stop us from appreciating
his capable leadership."
On Tuesday, the ANC said the DA's youth league criticism was
"ill-informed" and smacked of "political opportunism".
The party said Zuma's remarks about Malema were "historically
correct" in keeping with a culture of leadership development within
the party.
"Malema... like any other member of the ANC, who has been
schooled in the politics of the organisation, can assume any
leadership position within the ANC if elected."
Citing the example of African National Congress leaders such as
Anton Lembede, Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, and AP
Mda, the ANC said its youth division had long produced "leaders of
distinction".
The party said more recently, Peter Mokaba, Malusi Gigaba and
Fikile Mbalula had all become members of the party's national
executive committee.
"We have no doubt in our minds that Comrade Julius Malema can
follow in the footsteps of such leaders."
The Youth League's Shivambu said Malema did "not pay lip
service" to caring for the "poor and downtrodden".
"He has contributed to the studies of many poor children, built
houses for poor families, helped orphanages with basic needs, and
provided teaching and learning support materials to many schools
across the country."
Calling the league, " the most formidable youth political
organisation, not only in South Africa, but also in the entire
continent and the world", Shivambu said its "fearlessness, vibrancy
and unmitigated focus to development" set it apart.
"The ANC Youth League continues to inspire hope to many South
Africans."
Zuma made headlines when he sang Malema's praises in Limpopo on
Sunday.
"Some of us are no longer young, and when we go across the
mountain in terms of age, we are happy that when we go on, the
organisation will remain in real hands of [those] who will think
about the people," Zuma reportedly said.
"The ANC recognises talent and leadership and we give people an
opportunity.
"Julius has illustrated that he is indeed a good leader and that
he understands the people," said Zuma.
He was speaking in Malema's hometown of Seshego, where the youth
league leader had helped to build a house and a church.
Zuma asked the congregation to pray for Malema "not to falter
along the way, because here you have a leader in the making".
, who cares 
)
