ANC Youth League President Collen Malatji has made a bold statement, saying President Cyril Ramaphosa should be the last “pensioner” to lead the country.

Malatji made the remarks on Wednesday, at the Mmabatho Convention Centre in the North West as part of the Youth Month commemorations.

He argued that older leaders must make way for younger people in key positions of power, especially given the country’s high youth unemployment rate, which is sitting at 32.9% and the social struggles faced by young South Africans.

“They (referring to the youth) are dispossessed, they are on drugs, they are on alcohol, they are abused by their husbands every day of their marriage, they are in problems,” Malatji said. 

“Even your dignity is stripped when you are deprived of your own economy.”

He called for a revival of youth political consciousness similar to that of the 1976 generation, who famously rose up against apartheid.

“That spirit must be revived in your hearts and souls. It must burn until the structure of the economy is changed, until the youth of this country run this country,” he said.

Malatji criticised what he sees as contradictions in government policy regarding age and retirement.

“You can’t say people aged 65 must go to pension, but the one who makes the laws, aged 65, is still working,” he said. 

“Even those in Parliament must go home when they are 65. President Ramaphosa must be the last president who is a pensioner.”

Ramaphosa, who is 72-years-old, has announced a National Dialogue aimed at reshaping South Africa’s future amid worsening inequality, unemployment, crime, and corruption. 

The dialogue will culminate in a National Convention on August 15, bringing together political, civil, religious, traditional, and business leaders. 

It will conclude with a second convention in early 2026.

Malatji lambasted the process, claiming it lacks meaningful youth representation and direction.

“Everything important in this country must be run by the youth,” he said. 

“We can’t have a high level of youth unemployment while pensioners are still working.”

He also took aim at the recently announced Eminent Persons Group tasked with overseeing the dialogue, which includes Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane of the Zion Christian Church, Bishop Grace Engenas Lekganyane of the St. Engenas Zion Christian Church, former COSATU general secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali, and Springbok captain Siya Kolisi.

On Wednesday, IOL News reported that notable absentees from the list include Ramaphosa’s predecessors and leaders of legacy foundations such as those named after Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, and Ahmed Kathrada, all of which have been critical of the current administration.

“Because that national dialogue will have no direction if it is not directed by the youth of this country,” Malatji said. 

“We cannot have a task team for the youth dialogue without youth (representatives).”

He called for a youth-led national dialogue ahead of any broader national initiative.

“It is us, the youth of this country, who must have a national dialogue before the national dialogue. The first national dialogue must be a dialogue of youth, who must direct that national dialogue,” Malatji said. 

“Today is not about speeches, but I felt I must remind you why we are reviving your conscience.”

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL 

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