THE Africa National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) has given a reason why its president, Collen Malatji, decided to decline an opportunity to become a member of parliament.
In a letter written by Malatji, directed to the ANC electoral committee head Kgalema Motlanthe, he stated that he was grateful for all the branches that considered his name to be part of the ANC 2024 Candidate Selection Process for National Parliament.
“After careful consideration and reflection, I have decided to respectfully decline the nomination,” he said.
According to Malatji, it was a difficult decision to make, as it would not best fit his current goals and aspirations.
“I believe it would not be fair to accept the nomination knowing that my goals don’t align with the requirements of being a member of parliament,” Malatji said.
He also thanked all those who nominated him.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude for the time and energy the electoral committee and all branches that nominated me and trust that the best candidates will be selected,” he said.
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According to the ANCYL spokeswoman Zama Khanyase, Malatji’s decision was for the sake of the youth of Mzansi and the work he needs to do on the ground to ensure the youth league’s resolutions are implemented.
She said the president (Malatji) felt he wouldn’t be able to achieve that if he had to focus on Parliament.
Khanyase said the Youth League has indeed called for more young people to enter Parliament and other spaces of power, even without its president being there.
“Malatjie decided that he is going to remain at the office because he understands that there are so many issues that he wants to raise and so many resolutions that stem from our conference that will require our comrades, especially our president, to be in the office full time.
“For one, to check the accountability of the implementations of some of the resolutions, not only of the ANCYL but of the ANC. He said he would announce those who are not going to be in power so that they can monitor and carry out our programme, which is to hold the government accountable,” Khanyase said.
She further said that Malatji couldn’t do that when he was part of the government, for which he needed to be held accountable.
She said even those they will deploy in the ANCYL once they get there (Parliament), they should be accountable to the National Executive Committee of the Youth League.
