The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) has issued a formal apology for its remarks dismissing the National Convention as a mere “tea party,” and has reaffirmed its full support for the ongoing National Dialogue.

Sources close to the matter confirmed to IOL that ANCYL President Collen Malatji was urged by senior ANC leadership to retract the statements, following the ANC National Executive Committee’s (NEC) official endorsement of the National Dialogue.

The ANCYL did so in a statement saying that it was an “unfortunate characterisation”.

President Cyril Ramaphosa also reiterated his support during the Convention held two weeks ago.

At a media briefing held in Johannesburg on Wednesday, ANCYL leaders, including Malatji and secretary-general Mntuwoxolo Ngudle, had sharply criticised the convention, calling it a gathering of friends and questioning its legitimacy.

Ngudle went further, hinting at the Youth League’s intention to engage with other youth organisations to initiate a parallel youth-focused dialogue.

The ANC welcomed the clarification by the ANCYL and its reaffirmed support for the National Dialogue.

“We note the regrettable reference to the process as a “tea party” and welcome the correction made by the Youth League,” it said in a statement.

However, within hours of the briefing, the party released a formal statement retracting the controversial remarks.

It described the “tea party” comment as an unfortunate and regrettable characterisation, extending an apology to all stakeholders involved.

This shift signals a renewed alignment within ANC structures around the National Dialogue and reflects a broader commitment to collaborative nation-building efforts.

“We acknowledge that this was an unfortunate characterisation. It arose from the ANCYL’s frustration at the exclusion of political and civic youth formations that represent genuine constituencies, mobilise across communities, and carry the real hopes and aspirations of young South Africans.

“These formations, with thousands of active members, are well-placed to articulate what needs to be done,” the statement said.

However, the ANCYL reiterated that the National Convention did not achieve its desired outcomes.

“It failed to inspire confidence that the voices of South Africans, their lived realities, and their daily struggles were adequately captured alongside progressive and urgent solutions.”

According to the young lions, the national dialogue should focus on the transformation and strengthening of our economy so that itserves the majority of South Africans, not just a privileged few.

“The national dialogue must place at its centre critical issues such as Gender-Based Violence(GBV), crime, the challenge of illegal foreigners and migration, the transformation of our education system, and the full implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI).”

Furthermore, the ANCYL said it will engage the preparatory task team and NEDLAC on the urgent need to ensure that the National Dialogue becomes inclusive of young people, who form the majority of this country’s population.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

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