By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa urged the African National Congress (ANCYL) to campaign actively for the party in the 2026 local elections.
Ramaphosa was addressing the ANCYL’s 27th National Congress at Turfloop University in Polokwane, Limpopo.
A number of delegates have expressed frustration and the poor administration that has seen some delegates struggling to register.
The conference was expected to be in session around 11am but this could not happen because delegates were still at the Peter Mokaba stadium trying to get registered.
Despite the problems outside, the outgoing leaders of the ANCYL insist that everything is going smoothly.
Ramaphosa urged delegates to intensify their role in the ANC’s renewal programme, particularly by mobilising young people ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.
He said the ANCYL plays an important part of the party’s renewal programme which he has championed since he became ANC president.
He said the youth league must collaborate with the mother body on matters such as political education and making sure that the ANC is in touch with communities and young people around the country.
“Young people in our country are hungry to find a home; young people in our country want direction and you are the closest agent of change. You are the mobiliser to bring young people together and to champion the interests of young people,” he said.
Ramaphosa also said the ANCYL has the responsibility of mobilising the youth towards participating in the upcoming local government election in big numbers. This statement comes in the context of the ANC admitting that they had lost votes through voter apathy.
Ramaphosa said the youth is playing a more serious role in the ANC. He pointed out that the recent National General Council (NGC) that the party hosted had more young people than ever before.
He said they were not disruptive, but contributed to the robust engagements that the party had on its midterm review.
“These young people demonstrated that they had prepared to participate in the NGC, they had read the base documents of the NGC and they had analysed those documents and they came to the NGC armed with clear positions.
“They argued those clear positions calmly intelligently effectively, purposefully… They did all of that to demonstrate to us the ANCYL has come of age and it is ready to lead,” he said.
Ramaphosa wrapped up by saying the ANC is turning a corner from talk to action. “The road ahead is long, but we shall unite to renew our movement,” he said. He urged the ANCYL to lead like an “army” in campaigns, similar to the Women’s League, and ensure a “total victory” in 2026.