Durban — Nqobile Gumede, the frontrunner for the ANC Youth League chairperson position in KwaZulu-Natal, said she was ready to lead and revive the structure in the province.
On Wednesday, the provincial youth league congress preparatory committee announced the new date for the elective conference after many postponements.
The committee said the long-awaited conference would take place on December 9 at a Durban venue which is yet to be announced.
Gumede, who hails from eThekwini, is set to make history by becoming the first woman chairperson of the provincial league.
In its eight conferences, the league has always been led by men. But Gumede, who has the backing of most of the regions, said she was ready for the position and promised to revive the provincial league, which has been dormant for nearly two years.
The structure last had leadership when it was led by former education MEC Kwazi Mshengu as the chairperson, together with eThekwini councillor Thanduxolo Sabelo as the secretary.
The two and their executive had to vacate their positions after they were disbanded by the national youth league task team owing to the expiry of their terms of office.
Buoyed by her nomination by the national youth task team to represent the provincial youth structure as a voting delegate at the ANC’s 55th national conference in Nasrec next month, Gumede said she was hopeful the conference would elect her as the first-ever new woman chairperson.
“We have always been ready for the conference, and with the support we have in the regions, we believe we are ready to take the structure back to the vibrancy and militancy it was known for,” said Gumede.
In her slate, she is being paired with the current Harry Gwala regional youth secretary Qiniso Mnguni as secretary.
The region wields a lot of influence in provincial politics after it successfully pushed for Bheki Mtolo to be elected as provincial secretary of the mother body in July.
Announcing the conference date, the preparatory committee said it was determined to ensure that young people from all corners of the province were able to occupy all sectors of the economy.
Daily News