The ANCYL President, Collen Malatji, delivering an address at the ANCYL North West President's Jazz Hour at the Mmabatho Convention Centre in Mahikeng. Image: ANCYL shared via X @ANCYLhq.
(The Post News)– The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) leader Collen Malatji has voiced their disappointment over the exclusion of young people in the National Dialogue organised by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The Presidency formally announced the proposed dialogue on Tuesday, 10 June, and also the participating Eminent Persons Group aimed at guiding and championing the processes. According to the presidency, this initiative has been greatly supported since it was proposed last year.
Malatji said they acknowledge the intended purpose of the dialogue, which is to reflect on the current state of the country, build social cohesion, and review the future together. However, they are concerned by the exclusion of youth, noting that they are grounded in the day-to-day, real-life experiences in communities.
Malatji argued that although it is acknowledged that prominent young people should be included, this should not take the place of youth representatives who fight poverty, unemployment, gender-based violence, inequality, drug misuse, and underdevelopment on a daily basis in the township, rural villages, campuses, and informal settlements.
Malatji stressed the need to have national dialogue preceded by youth dialogue, where they can share their frustrations and lived experiences to direct the processes from the outset. He said that the exclusion will cause disconnection from the youth—the people who are representing the future. He added that because the youth make up the bulk of the population, the National Dialogue will lack direction if it is not led by them.
Moreover, Malatji shed light on their stance, saying they are not rejecting the dialogue; however, they are declaring the need for it to be grounded. He shared that youth dialogue is of vital importance, saying that having only bourgeois in dialogues must be avoided.
Malatji vowed that their organisation remains absolute and ready to fight to ensure the voice of the youth is heard.
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