Collen Malatji, the President of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL), has offered a candid assessment of the challenges facing the ruling party. He believes that the public’s growing frustration isn’t a rejection of the ANC as a political force, but rather a deep weariness with the underperformance of individuals appointed to key positions within the party.
Malatji explained that the core issue isn’t widespread public animosity towards the ANC itself. Instead, he pointed to a prevalent fatigue with officials who hold positions of responsibility but fail to demonstrate the commitment, energy, and accountability expected of them. “South Africans do not hate the ANC,” Malatji stated, “They are tired of deployees who are lazy and who do not work for the people.”
These remarks come at a critical juncture for the African National Congress, which is currently grappling with significant electoral pressures. Voter turnout has been declining, and there is increasing public scrutiny over failures in service delivery at both municipal and national levels.
The ANCYL president acknowledged that the ANC’s historical significance and its role in liberation remain important. However, he cautioned that the actions of some party members in positions of power are damaging public trust. He emphasized that communities are looking for leadership that is visible, acts with integrity, and delivers tangible improvements to their daily lives, rather than just making political promises.
Malatji elaborated on this, saying, “The anger we see in communities is not ideological. It is practical. People want water, electricity, safety, and jobs. When deployees are absent, complacent, or incompetent, the ANC takes the blame.”
In response, Malatji is calling for a revitalized commitment to discipline and performance within the ANC. He urges the party to prioritize appointing capable and hardworking individuals to leadership roles, moving beyond simply rewarding loyalty. He also stressed the importance of holding underperforming officials accountable, stating that accountability must be a real and consistent practice, not just a talking point.
Political observers suggest that Malatji’s statements reflect a larger internal discussion within the ANC about the future of its cadre deployment policy and the need for reforms in governance. While some within the party see his comments as a necessary step towards self-reflection, others express skepticism, noting that similar concerns have been raised previously with little evidence of significant structural change.
Despite these challenges, Malatji remains firm in his commitment, asserting that the youth league will continue to advocate for renewal and ethical leadership, particularly as South Africa approaches important political moments. He concluded by saying, “If we fix how we govern and how our deployees serve, the confidence of the people will return because the ANC belongs to them.” This message highlights a growing understanding within the governing party that rebuilding public trust may depend more on demonstrating effective governance on the ground than on emphasizing its past achievements.