The provincial leader of the ANC was addressing youth league delegates during their provincial council when a proposal was made to him that he should be replaced by Ronald Lamola.
ANCYL delegates attending its provincial general council at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Mbombela campus have suggested that when Premier David Mabuza goes up to form part of the ANC’s top six he should be replaced by ex-ANCYL deputy president Ronald Lamola.
The ANCYL in the Mpumalanga province held its two-day provincial general council over the weekend to take resolutions after they could not do so in last year July’s provincial congress because of disagreements soon after the leadership was elected.
At the end of the council on Sunday afternoon, Mabuza arrived and addressed the youth league delegates.
He told them that he was now old, was 56 years old and was closer to queuing with other elders for his pension grant.
He said youth league members had the duty to unite the ANC in the branches where they lead because the future of the ANC relied on them.
“I took this moment to come and talk to you because I’m aware that you still have a long way to go and I’m about to retire.
“I don’t want to make the mistake that I’ve seen in all the liberation movements in Africa of our old leaders that cling into power forever and that is what has killed our liberation movement,” he said to thunderous applause.
“When you are old, prepare young people to take over.
“Don’t wait to be told that you’re old because you’ll be angry,” Mabuza said.
“You must realise and step aside. So, you are not going to fool me because I’m going to do what is right and at the moment allow me to leave because I told them that I’m on a third term and I no longer want another a fourth because you will end up being led old people. So we need to get another one, a young person now,” and delegates screamed “Ozzy! Ozzy!”
Mabuza continued: “I didn’t say we should put the person now, but we will think who that person should be and I’m sure when I leave the province the ANC will be in your capable hands”.
Lamola’s nickname is ‘Ozzy’ and united recently with Mabuza after a fallout that lasted almost five years.
SEE HERE: Ronald Lamola ditches CR17, joins premier league
Mabuza is eyeing the position of deputy president of the ANC in December 2017’s elective conference.
That can be interpreted to mean that ANCYL sees Lamola fit to lead as provincial ANC chairman and Premier when Mabuza is elevated to national office.
Lamola attended the PGC together with current deputy president Desmond Moela and ANC provincial deputy chairwoman Violet Siwela.
(edited by ZK)
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