Sam Mkokeli
18 November 2008
opinion
Johannesburg — I MISSED out on the anti-apartheid struggle. So did African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) president Julius Malema. I often wish I had been born earlier.
I would have been in a position to decide on how to contribute to the cause; I would have a better understanding of what it was like to be barred from "whites only" establishments. What I saw as a child is certainly not enough to claim to know, and to have experienced, apartheid SA. I caught the tail end of the terrible system.
By virtue of his age, Malema also caught the tail. So did most of those who fall into the "youth" category today. Although I'm not a born-free, my generation -- those who were born after 1976 -- should have an advantage in today's politics, including in race relations, political reconciliation and economic development.
But that is not necessarily the case. This generation is the most affected by unemployment and HIV/AIDS. Cultural imperialism, social pressures (sexual and economic behaviour) point to a youth unable to unshackle itself from its socioeconomic bondage.
Most HIV infections are related to social pressures and behaviour. So is the financial strain that goes with the capitalist consumerism that ensures that the youth is not only caught in a debt trap, but it is at the mercy of savvy marketers -- coiners of terms such as "black diamonds".
The existence of organisations such as the ANCYL should be of immense benefit to society. There is nothing worse than an apathetic population, especially at this early stage of our democracy. The value of political education and mobilisation cannot be overemphasised. Broader public participation in the politics of the country is crucial if we are to deepen our democracy.
The youth -- in line with the "tomorrow's leaders" cliche -- needs to be politically aware and involved in the country's political development. The existence of youth political formations should serve to engage the country's youth in political debate that seeks to embrace a broader political agenda concerned with developing the nation. As a primary task, such formations should also seek, on behalf of the broader youth, to advance youth development.
The ANCYL has a track record of contributing to the fight against apartheid. Historically, it has influenced ANC politics, as was again seen in Jacob Zuma's march to the ANC presidency.
However, beyond ANC internal politics and Zuma's legal and leadership woes, the league's current leadership has yet to step up to take its rightful place in the youth's post-1994 struggles. Youth politics should be positioned in the realm of broader society and youth leagues should immerse themselves in the emancipation of the youth from socioeconomic shackles that continued to exist after the "miracle" of 1994.
The process that follows the first democratic ballot -- called "democratic consolidation" -- requires the rooting of democratic values in broader society. A democratic sociopolitical culture is a prerequisite for democratic consolidation to be regarded as a success. In this culture, democracy is seen to be the "only game in town" . This would be a community where there is no radical challenge to social order, with deep and extensive citizen participation.
Sadly, this scenario has not been supported by the country's biggest youth political formation. Malema's public utterances, such as his expression of his willingness to kill for his leader, have proved a grave mismatch with the league's honourable history.
A youth league linked to a ruling party has a bigger responsibility to ensure that democracy for all exists. That includes not only helping its members to get richer but to ensure that the rest of the youth enjoy the economic benefits presented and required for SA's democratic consolidation to be a success. After all, "democracy begins with breakfast" in the words of former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan.
The current leadership of the ANCYL seems to be concerned not with the broader youth picture, but with playing a major role in ANC politics. It may simply be the case of a young lion, who was too young when militancy was actually required, trying to make up for a missed opportunity.
The revolutionary language spoken by members of the league points to actors who have mastered their lines and roles. But a lot is expected of them. This country needs leadership. Not only at the top, but also among the youth. The youth needs proper representation. Anele Mda of the youth wing of the Congress of the People jumped at this, pointing out that Malema's league did not represent the youth of the country.
I agree with her assessment, although it is only natural that she would use that as a campaign line.
The ANCYL might be a membership-based organisation, and Malema could claim to have a mandate to represent those paid-up members (I am not one of them), but it is not that simple. Political leadership needs to be concerned with the nation, not just with party members. Zuma said last week the ANC had taken Malema to task over his style. Not to be outdone, and in true Malema fashion, his rudeness -- void of any African cultural principles -- came out the very next day during an address in Kimberley.
He told those suspected of planning to defect to the Congress of the People what to do, in no uncertain terms. "If the premier (of Northern Cape) wants to go, you are welcome, comrade premier, to also leave the African National Congress," he said. Reportedly, he turned to another suspected defector-in-waiting, "MEC of education or whatever" Archie Lucas, and said, "You must go."
Malema's is definitely not a case of the cream rising to the top and we, as a youth and a nation, are paying the price of political disengagement. Former president Thabo Mbeki takes some blame for creating Zuma -- so powerful a force that his mere ascension to the top created havoc, leading to the split in the ANC and raising concerns of political stability. In a political climate such as ours, inadequate leaders such as Malema can only flourish.
I am encouraged by the youth showing an appetite for our present and future by registering to vote. But the vote is not the be-all and end-all of political participation. Plato's statement that "the price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men" is being shown to be true in SA .
Mkokeli is deputy news editor.
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