After hours of delays, the ANC Youth League in KwaZulu-Natal finally convened and elected its new leadership early on Monday morning. The much-anticipated elective conference began on Saturday, but unresolved issues caused setbacks, delaying the official opening until Sunday night. The deputy provincial chairperson of the ANC, Nomagugu Simelane, had to step in to officially open the conference. It wasn’t until the early hours of Monday that the election of the new leadership took place.
The new provincial chairperson is Ntokozo Ngcobo, the eThekwini regional chairperson, while Lulama Mabude from the Moses Mabhida region (Pietermaritzburg) was elected to serve as secretary. Phindile Mdada from the General Gizenga Mpanza region (KwaDukuza) will take on the role of deputy chairperson, and Siyabonga Mzenda from the Musa Dladla region (Richards Bay) was appointed as deputy secretary. The treasurer position went to Siphelele Masuku from the Josiah Gumede region (Ladysmith).
The delays in the conference were attributed to issues with delegates’ credentials, according to sources who wished to remain anonymous. One of the key problems stemmed from discrepancies in the list of delegates, particularly involving individuals from the Tolomane Mnyauza region, formerly known as Ugu, on the South Coast of the province. Their names were reportedly missing from the official list, further complicating the process.
This leadership election follows a series of postponements that have plagued the Youth League in recent years. The league has been without proper leadership since 2022, when the last provincial chairperson, former Education MEC Kwazi Mshengu, and secretary Thanduxolo Sabelo, held office. An attempt to hold a conference in July 2023 was abruptly canceled by the national leadership, who directed that all conferences be postponed in favor of focusing on the previous year’s general elections.
As the day unfolded, delegates were expected to vote for additional members to form the provincial executive committee, rounding out the leadership structure for the coming term.