ANC NYTT STATEMENT POST NYTT MEETING

The African National Congress National Youth Task Team (ANC NYTT) held an ordinary ANC NYTT meeting on Thursday, 08 July 2021 to take stock of the ground covered in rebuilding structures of the ANC Youth League since its appointment in April 2021. The meeting which was held on a virtual platform was characterised by robust and frank discussions on the state of the youth and the state of their organization - the ANCYL. These robust and frank discussions informed the decisions to be communicated in this press statement which in the collective wisdom of the ANC NYTT will make a profound impact on the task of rebuilding the ANCYL and repositioning the youth agenda in South Africa.

On Youth Unemployment

It is common cause that the ANCYL does not exist for its own sake or to only serve its members, but to champion the interests of young people in South Africa. It is for this reason that the NYTT was deeply concerned about the high levels of youth unemployment in the country. According to Statistics South Africa, the official unemployment rate among youth aged between 15 and 34 was 46.3% in first quarter of the year and 9.3% among university graduates.

The NYTT is of the firm view that these high unemployment figures amongst the youth represent a national crisis which poses a serious threat to democracy, peace and stability in the country. This must be given the necessary attention by all sectors of society.

We call on the state to cease the senseless neo-liberal austerity agenda and direct resources towards labour intensive sectors of the economy which will create jobs for the unemployed youth of South Africa. Through legislation, the state must also coerce private capital which currently

controls above 60% of South Africa's economy, to invest in sectors which create work for the marginalised youth of South Africa and ensure that they have pro-youth recruitment policies.

On COVID-19 Pandemic

The NYTT noted with concern the fact that South Africa is currently undergoing a third wave of infections with a deadly variant which continues to claim the lives of many. The NYTT calls upon government to initiate a mass rollout vaccination program in order for young people to also access vaccines. Whilst welcoming the approval of the Corona vaccine, the NYTT is concerned about the fact that South Africa still has not produced its own vaccine to save South African lives. We further encourage young people to continue practicing and observing all non-pharmaceutical prevention measures of physical distancing and wearing of masks. The ANC NYTT sends its heartfelt condolences to all citizen that may have lost their loved ones due to this cruel Virus.

On Developments in the ANC

The NYTT reaffirmed its commitment to supporting and reinforcing the ANC in the attainment of the goals of the National Democratic Revolution and ensure that young people participate in the struggle to create a non-racial, non-sexist, united, democratic and prosperous society.

The NYTT is also of the firm believe that these goals can only be achieved if we have strong institutions of democracy which are independent, legitimate and enjoy the support of all citizens. Whilst welcoming the decision by President Zuma to abide by the ruling of the Constitutional Court, it is regrettable and a cause for concern that a person of his age is incarcerated irrespective of their social status. We however have faith in the leadership the ANC in providing on the matter and trust that this experience will provide valuable lessons to our movement, our comrades, and state institutions in general.

On Swaziland

Throughout its existence, the ANCYL has always promoted among the youth a spirit of international solidarity, peace and friendship with other nations. It is consistent with this conviction that we are deeply worried about the gross human rights violation in Swaziland and the increasing authoritarian rule by the Swazi monarch.

The NYTT stands with the toiling masses of Swaziland and support their demands for an immediate end to the Tinkundla system and unbanning of all political parties to make may for a democratic system which will allow the people of Swaziland to govern through a system of one person-one-vote.

We call on the ANC and South Africans in general to support the people of Swaziland in all ways possible which includes assisting them with resources, refuge and movement in and out of Swaziland to defeat the monarch.

On the State of the Organisation

The NYTT meeting appreciated that building a revolutionary youth organization means involving ourselves in the struggles of oppressed young people all over the country; whether they are protesting against racism in Emalahleni, marching against mining houses in Sekhukhune and Bojanala, demanding free education in our campuses or fighting for access to water in Ukhahlamba.

Young people like all oppressed people are not won to revolutionary ideas by just standing on a podium and proclaiming that 'the rulers suck and we need to over throw them'. It is through practice, struggles, victories and even defeats that we will build a strong and vibrant ANCYL. We agreed that there are no short cuts towards building a strong and vibrant ANCYL. It is against this background that the NYTT meeting took a decision to, in principle dissolve all structures of the ANCYL that are in not compliance with the ANCYL Constitution, with respect to the Term of Office and Membership prescripts.

NYTT deployees to provinces will expedite the process of assessment to ascertain all the structures that are affected. The comprehensive process and criteria of reconstituting the structures will be communicated in due course. The NYTT is mindful of the fact that rebuilding of structures is not only done through changing people, but also through introducing new systems which will support the project of organizational renewal and training new recruits on the core values of the Congress Youth League.

Congress Road Map

In light of the recent COVID-19 adjusted Level 4 regulations and the delays in the vaccine roll out particularly to young people, which will have a direct effect on our capacity to deliver on our mandate, the NYTT resolved to review its congress road map.

The NYTT further noted various challenges that young people faced with regard to banking of membership and resolved to extend the cut-off date for membership to 31 August 2021. Challenges emanating from membership banking are receiving urgent attention.

As part of the process of rebuilding the ANCYL, the NYTT encourages all young people who wish to join and participate in the life of the ANCYL to register and complete the free online courses offered by the OR Tambo School of Leadership. Political education remains one of the most important tools used to rebuild an organization, help improve the quality of its members and inculcate the values, principles and traditions of Congress amongst the youth.

We also encourage our structures to continue with organizational work in compliance with COVID-19 regulations and as part of rebuilding our organization, celebrate heroes of young people like Ashley Kriel who died on this day in 1987 and the former President of the ANCYL, Cde Nelson Mandela who we posthumously celebrate his birthday on the 18th of July every year.

The NYTT request the support of all young people in this process of rebuilding the ANCYL and making it a home for all young people. The NYTT is committed to rebuilding a strong and vibrant ANCYL which will be a sharp tool in the struggle for economic freedom.

Amandla!!!

Issued by the ANC Youth League National Task Team, 9 July 2021