By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) secretary general Fikile Mbalula condemned the act of using party platforms to express factional anger, calling it unprincipled and reactionary.
Mbalula was booed while addressing the second ANCYL National General Council (NGC) held from Wednesday to Friday in Kimberley —known as the diamond capital.
The NGC celebrated the league’s 81st anniversary and focused on economic freedom and youth unemployment.
A notable moment was the league president Collen Malatji’s announcement that the NGC had resolved to withdraw the league’s earlier apology for calling the National Dialogue a “tea party.”
The comment, made by Malatji in August 2025, criticised the GNU’s multi-stakeholder forum as an elite gathering ignoring youth needs like jobs and land reform.
Malatji also dismissed claims that its NGC was consumed by leadership contests, saying that at no point during the congress were names dropped for succession purposes.
However, he confirmed a unanimous decision of the NGC to call for an early national congress.
The event showcased ANCYL’s vibrancy, but the booing incident highlights factional risks. As the ANC is holding NEC discussions on local government intervention, Mbalula’s call for discipline is timely, ensuring unity amid GNU challenges.
“You cannot use the platform of the ANC to come and boo the ANC secretary-general because you are unhappy about the outcome of a conference in Ehlanzeni. That is wrong. That is un-ANC, it is anti-revolution, it is reactionary. You must go backwards and understand where you are.”
While acknowledging that not all members will always be happy, he emphasised the need for disciplined engagement within the ANC’s internal processes.
“In the ANC, you cannot be happy about everything, but you don’t go around mobilizing negatively. You sit, you fight for what you believe is right where you are. People who do negative things, we know they don’t last.”
He used the platform to reiterate his commitment to the ANC Youth League, praising its revival as one of the leadership’s key priorities after a period of collapse and dysfunction.
“When we came into office, our priority was to revive the Youth League. When we came into office, the Youth League was dead and we revived it. When we came, it had task teams, and we revived it and it elected the youth,” said Mbalula.
Mbalula shared an apology from Bethuel Zunguza, Mpumalanga ANCYL provincial chairperson, for the booing incident.
“This communique serves as my unconditional apology to you in your capacity as ANC Secretary General for the unfortunate and reprehensible events on the occasion of the ANCYL National General Council at Seperepere Stadium in Kimberly, Northern Cape,” said Zunguza.
“As the Chairperson of the Mpumalanga ANCYL, I unreservedly condemn the booing incident associated with the ANCYL in the Mpumalanga Province.
“Under my leadership, we do not condone nor encourage these unscrupulous tendencies, which are in contrast with the founding values of our Glorious Movement, the ANC.
“We view this conduct as an act of defiance of everything that the ANC stands for as a Liberation Movement and Leader of society.”
Zunguza said those who booed Mbalula were just a few individuals.Disciplinary proceedings will be instituted against them.
Meanwhile the party is continuing with its special national executive committee (NEC) meeting at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg on Sunday.
Mbalula said the party remains concerned about the inefficiency of many municipalities.
“Communities feel let down, and they are concerned about corruption. They feel we are unresponsive and more concerned about internal issues. We are going to adopt an action plan on intervention and push back on all the challenges,” he said.
The meeting will also prepare for Monday’s event in Johannesburg, where all ANC councillors from municipalities nationwide will gather for a roll call.