In a tribute to a life that was of Songezo Mjongile, who was Provincial Secretary of the African National Congress (ANC) in the Western Cape, Ronald Lamola, National Executive (Working) Committee Member of ANC, made an echoing wake up call to the youth structures of his organization. Lamola also Recognized the centenary Celebration of Robert Resha. “In memory of Madiba as he was fondly known, a passionate and dedicated activist of our movement, we should take tangible steps to renew our organisation.” Said Lamola. He likened Mjongile’s leadership resilience and character to that of Robert Resha (1920-1973). A prominent leader of the ANC Youth League who showed tremendous energy, resourcefulness and wisdom in all his activities.

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“I want make a bold claim and state that the future of the ANC is not guaranteed without an autonomous, vibrant and highly organized Youth League.” Expressed Lamola, backed by the theme “Building a strong progressive youth movement to lead the youth struggles in South Africa. This in celebrating the life of Robert Resha. He described Resha as a “Firebrand Leader” of the ANC Youth League. One would such a description fitting for Resha, this is as he, in the 1950s rose through the League’s ranks to act as president during when bans restricted the league’s national president, Joe Matthews.

In one of his speeches, Resha famously said that ANC volunteers, who he led as volunteer-in-chief in the ANC’s frustrated efforts to mobilise resistance in Sophiatown in the mid-1950s, must “’murder” if called upon to do so. It is the radicalism of Resha which should inspire those of us who live in a post-apartheid South Africa not to massage the structural issues in our economy which reinforce both racial and class inequalities, and exacerbate the landlessness of our people.” Said Lamola.

Lamola also challenged the Government of the day to let young people take the lead in efforts to reinvent our economy and make our democracy tangible for all in Post COVID19 South Africa. He said there is a call by society to the youth through their innovation, to forge new socio economic pacts which will alleviate some of the struggles our people are confronted with. “The ANC itself cannot effectively respond to this call as long as the ANCYL is not functioning and not in the hands of its rightful owners.” He deliberated.

In a Daily Maverick article, reporting on the 76th birthday of the ANCYL, Former ANCYL task team member Rebone Tau said that The ANCYL was intended to harness new ideas, to champion the interests of young people, but also to give expression to a more militant voice within the ANC. Lamola however, refers to the current state of affairs as a “political vacuum in society”. This in reference to the absence of a vibrant youth league. “This vacuum cannot be allowed to continue, young people are crying out loud for their movement and we must heed their calls. We are saying again, the hour of youth has struck. We should all be seized with efforts to re-launch the ANCYL, failure will be a disservice to the generation of Comrade Resha.” Explicitly expressed Lamola.

Lamola further argued that young people have often been relegated to the margins of the South African politics and concluded that there is a need for fundamental change in terms of the country’s approach towards youth inclusion in decision making structures across all echelons of society.

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