ANC crèche has big problems

THE emergence of Lebogang Maila as chairperson of the influential Gauteng ANC Youth League offers an alternative to contenders for the presidency of the league.

Maila led the Congress of South African Students until Julius Malema took over and turned the student body into a bunch of stone throwers.

Current deputy president Andile Lungisa does not pose any threat. Not long ago he was forced to declare his allegiance to Malema by issuing a media statement distancing himself from members facing the firing squad.

That communicated confusing messages on disbanded provinces and particularly to suspended members such as Lehlohonolo Masoga, whose political future rested on a hostile force.

A credible leader is not driven by circumstances, but principle. Lungisa should have stood firm on what he believed was right. Former president Nelson Mandela and other principled leaders faced the death penalty, but remained true to their convictions. How can Lungisa now expect support from branches and provinces he turned his back on when they needed him most?

Masoga was clearly dealt with to pave the way for a puppet leadership that would support Malema. The ANC kindergarten is facing a serious challenge. For the first time in its history internal matters had to be settled in a court of law.

While the youth league's national general council is on the way, most provinces have two coexisting provincial executive councils. Hasani Mabasa, Newtown