By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Collen Malatji has been re-elected uncontested for a second term as president of ANCYL in the early hours of Tuesday morning at its 27th national congress.
Malatji’s slate was elected uncontested, with no nominations raised from the floor.
Fransicor Dyantyi was elected as the deputy president. He is from the Eastern Cape. Tsakani Shiviti was announced as the secretary-general; she is from Limpopo, and Zama Khanyase was announced as her deputy; she is from KwaZulu-Natal.
The 2nd deputy president is Venus Blennies-Magape from the Northern Cape, and the treasurer-general has been announced as Jacob Tau from Mpumalanga.
Malatji, who has led the youth formation through a period of internal rebuilding and renewed political relevance, retained the presidency without facing any challenges.
The league described the result as a mandate for continuity and consolidation, particularly as the ANC prepares for future electoral contests and internal policy debates.
However, Malatji’s uncontested re-election has raised eyebrows, with some observers questioning the level of internal competition at the congress.
According to Malatji, the absence of challengers should be viewed as a vote of confidence in the current leadership rather than evidence of weakened internal democracy.
The congress comes at a critical moment for the youth league, which has positioned itself as a vocal force within the ANC on issues such as youth unemployment, economic transformation, access to education and land reform.