28/01/2026
STATEMENT OF THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS YOUTH LEAGUE (ANCYL) TULA MASIZA BRANCH IN DR. W.B. RUBUSANA REGION FOLLOWING THE PUBLIC MEETING
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
28 JANUARY 2026
The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) in the Dr. W.B. Rubusana Region, Tula Masiza branch (Ward 8) successfully convened its 1st Public Meeting for the 2026 year, on 27 January 2026 at Gompo Welfare, under the theme: “Advancement of youth into leadership.”
The meeting was attended by young people of ward 8, leaders of the ANCYL (Regional and Zone). It was a moment of reflection, renewal, and recommitment to the revolutionary task of mobilising young people behind the banner of the African National Congress and the cause of youth development, more especially that we are in a critical year of the Local Government Election.
The meeting received and adopted key reports, including the Organisational Report and Progress Report. These provided a thorough account of the work done by the previous BEC.
As per resolutions of the ANCYL National Congress that there ought to be an early congress and branches are to convene BGMs& BBGMs. The new structure was reintroduced to the community at large.
BEC Officials:
• Chairperson: Cde Bhongo Tshukuse (M)
• Deputy Chairperson: Cde Ayabonga Ulana (M)
• Secretary: Cde Limpho Nonjwango (F)
• Deputy Secretary: Cde Palesa Maseti (F)
• Treasurer: Cde Sinethemba Blemesha (M)
We express our deepest gratitude to the outgoing BEC under the leadership of Cde Sandisizwe Mali for steering the Youth League through a challenging period, and for laying a solid foundation for the renewal of our structures and programs.
Regional secretary Cde Khonaye Tilongo delivered an address to educate and motivate young people regarding to matters related to Local Government Elections. He encouraged them to have dual membership; ANC membership and ANC Youth League membership, because when electing ward councillor candidates there will be an ANC process that strictly only ANC members can be part of. Then a public one for IEC registered voters. Therefore, it is critical for the youth to be registered on both ANC and IEC.
Regional chairperson Cde Loyiso Togu delivered inputs from the REC. Cde Loyiso rallied the youth to be active on the ground and urged the youth to take up space. It should not just be political, but also economical and social. The youth should not be cowards, if they are not happy they ought to take it to the streets and protest. Whilst we are complaining, foreigners are operational and our youth is subjected to lawful process that derail us and do us no favours. Because even the people that are in charge of these processes are corrupt and easily paid off. So instead of complaining on the sides, we must mobilise and fight for what is rightfully our!
Branch chairperson Cde Bhongo Tshukuse summarised both addresses that the youth needs to be vigilant, on their toes, fight and show up for whatever it is that they want. As the BEC, theirs is to representatives of the interests of the young people of ward 8. If they want to comply to processes or take to the streets to have their demands met, then the BEC’s action shall be instructed by the youth. “We are here to represent the youth.”
Furthermore, Cde Bhongo said that in ward 8 they are calling and endorsing young people to form part of the ward councillor candidates nomination process.
At the public meeting, a way forward was agreed upon and this is some of the things it includes:
• The next meeting should primarily be about development of the youth of ward 8;
• Youth economic empowerment and job creation;
• Organising political education and ideological training;
• Fighting for quality education and healthcare;
• Mobilising youth behind ANC-led community development programs;
• Ensuring young people are registered voters
The ANCYL in the Tula Masiza branch, Dr. W.B. Rubusana Region, acknowledges that the ANC is under immense pressure in the region, province and nation. GNU is evidence of how this glories movement has lapsed and how much people have lost faith in it. It is the responsibility of the current administration to ensure that faith in the ANC is restored again. Leaders should stop this popularity contest mentality when electing leaders because they have proven themselves to have no sympathy for the very people of South Africa that have afforded them this privilege of leadership. Leaders should understand that leadership is service.
We adopt the notion presented by ANC Regional Chairperson Cde Princess Faku at the Regional Conference late last year, that the fighting within the organization has to stop. That a peace truce has to emerge as it is necessary. 2026 is critical and we are on shakey ground with the public. Leaders should put the people first or watch this comfort slip out of their hands.
The ANCYL unequivocally declares its readiness to engage in the succession debate ahead of 2026 LGE. In this regard, the Youth League will lobby for the emergence of young people to lead the ward councillor election nominations. In every career path, young people are given an opportunity and are doing wonders, politics must adapt!
ENDS.
ISSUED BY THE ANCYL DR. W.B. RUBUSANA REGION/ TULA MASIZA BRANCH
For Enquiries, contact:
Bhongo Tshukuse
Branch Chairperson
Limpho Nonjwango
Branch Secretary
