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The ANCYL remains a home for all young people
The rupturing revolt by the youth of 1976 remains a milestone in the struggle for freedom and social justice in South Africa. It culminated in an explosive response to a system of repression concocted to demobilize political activities in South Africa.

June 16 1976 was the build up of maturing political, social and economic tensions that were building up in South Africa since the banning of political parties and heightening of political repression.

More than 1000 young school children were shot and killed and thousands injured all over the country. The collaboration of resistance swelled throughout the South African landscape prompted in resistance to "the psychology of being in control". Thousands of young people left the country to join umkhonto wesizwe (MK) and other armed liberation forces, some were sent to universities to study.

The period prior June 16 evoked pressure from young people around the world who called for the release of Nelson Mandela in the "Free Mandela" campaign. Collectively, the struggles inside South Africa, on the Continent and internationally began to crystallize against the Apartheid Government and solidify around the African National Congress.

The Congress of South African Students (COSAS) was formed in 1979 as a result of the banning of organisations that realized the uprising of 1976. COSAS' formation was inspired by the bravery of young learners who raised their fists against apartheid repression. Having adopted the Freedom Charter, COSAS provided impetus to the broader liberation struggles and "generated a leadership cadre characterized by its political maturity and insight and above all its courage. Together with other township youth formations it provided a militant backbone to the entire democratic movement not only through its own struggles but also through its former students as they reached tertiary institutions, joined trade unions, community organisations and armed liberation forces.

The formation of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in 1983, depicted unity in diversity, simmered the 1970's call to "Free Mandela" and the call to make South Africa ungovernable. This was realized in the campaign for united action, towards the unbanning of the ANC and its support for the formation of South African Youth Congress (SAYCO). The United Democratic Front fortified the phases towards achieving National Liberation during the banning of the ANC and its Youth League especially during township uprisings and the State of Emergency.

In 1987, the South African Youth Congress was formed. This was critical in illustrating the creation of new layers of youth leadership. Its impact was in the strength of its numbers and the diversity of its affiliates constituting Trade Unions and religious, sport and cultural formations. The force and fighting spirit of the young lions was demonstrated in resilience during the State of Emergency. Peter Mokaba engineered mass based support through militancy and radicalism, which was embedded on the need to defend and advance the ideals of the Congress movement.

The political temperature had risen in South Africa, the apartheid government could no longer take the heat, and pressure was mounting from within the country despite the banning of the ANC, its Youth League and other political parties against the racist apartheid regime intensified.

The UDF and its affiliates including SAYCO carried the torch towards the unbanning of the ANC and the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990. The support for the ANC was demonstrated by its unbanning in 1991. The apartheid forces agreement to negotiations was not a compromise, but a capitulation to the struggles of the people of South Africa. Young people have proven through various generations that youth remain the force that mobilizes society behind the ANC and primary agents for change.

Like others who in our recent past miscalculated the militancy and fearlessness of the ANCYL's strategic analysis of the political landscape in South Africa, and chose to break away from the ANC, the ANCYL brought victory to the people of South Africa and the ANC in its victory in the 4th National General Elections.

In what was probably the most fiercely contested elections, the ANCYL attested to the true democratic values of the Constitution of South Africa. It indicated that the generations that brought this democracy to maturity have not done so in vain. Whilst fledgling parties tried to leave their nests prematurely and engage in an attempt to wreak havoc and divide the African National Congress, the Youth League emerged and mobilized young people in their scores to go to the polls. Generations of youth past and present confirmed the ANC as the only hope, the only advocate and the only true Congress of the People.

In a whirlwind victory, the vibrant voice of the South Africa's youth was heard as it was in 1976. The African National Congress Youth League, as in all its generations, remained committed to its twin tasks of mobilizing young behind the vision of the ANC whilst championing their interests, to ensure that the slogan of the first generation of the ANCYL, "Freedom in our Lifetime" remains and that the martyrs of our struggle mirror their vision, unwavering fear and selflessness to the generations to come to strengthen the African National Congress. Our generation of the ANCYL has lived up to expectations and fulfilled its role in defence of the ANC. However, our goals will be truly realized and celebrated only when the majority of South Africans are emancipated from poverty and starvation.

The month of June requires all young people to make nation-building a responsibility and to ensure that social cohesion remains an unconditional individual task. We have realized that the success of the intergenerational vote since the first democratic elections have turned the voting power at the polls into real influence over policies.

The culmination of such influence and achievement has demonstrated the militancy of the ANCYL and its commitment to the Freedom Charter in the establishment of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). From the beginning, the ANCYL elections strategy was underpinned by the need to speak to young people in their language and in places where they are found.

The gains since 1976 have cumulatively built on the legacy of generations past and generations into the future in the delivery of seamless, holistic and integrated development of young people. The NYDA is a direct consequence of the ANCYL 22nd National Congress of 2004, and the proclamation of the NYDA Act 58 of 2008 into law by the President of South Africa on 6th February 2009.

This resulted in the timeous appointment and announcement of the Board of the NYDA on the 30th April 2009. The ANCYL did not abdicate its responsibility to champion youth interests during the elections. We disaggregated our energies to fight for the adoption of the NYDA Act and the National Youth Policy and in the process mobilizing young people to vote for the ANC.

Young people in South Africa must be led out of the abuse of alcohol, drugs and substances that elevate their vulnerability. The time has now come for young people to unify during the trying socio-economic imperfections of the 21st Century. Young people should be taught and encouraged to stay clear of risky sexual behaviours. As we recall that the contentious issues of 1976 were not exclusive, young people revolted all over the country; they identified with the vision of a truly non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa, and shed the differences of race that defined the strategy of the oppressor.

The ANCYL remains the best political solace for all young South Africans irrespective of race and sex. The role of young people in shaping what they visualize their future to be remains their task. During the month of June and beyond we must support the process towards the National Health Insurance Scheme that aims to provide healthcare for all South Africans including young people who face basic healthcare challenges and address the vast dilemma of HIV and AIDS that continue to deteriorate the optimal lives of our young people. We should further support the process towards the review of the National Students' Financial Aid Scheme into a Scheme that will additionally insulate capable needy students from University and post secondary training fees.

The commitments to the Manifesto of the ANC in President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation Address must be translated to young people, who, will benefit from the "creation of decent work which will be at the center of our economic policies". An immediate task of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) is to create 500 000 jobs by December 2009 and 4 million by 2014. The task to reduce unemployment amongst young people in line with the task of EPWP then becomes apparent. The NYDA should speed up efforts to integrate as many young people into the economy as possible.

The increase in access to higher education of young people from poor families is evidence of the achievements of the ANCYL towards the goal of Free Education until the First undergraduate degree. The struggles of Education as epitomized in 1976 must continue in order to achieve complete total emancipation from poverty and starvation.

The responsibility of the ANCYL should become the collective responsibility of all South Africa's young people. We must continue to advance the objectives of a unified, skilled and properly remunerated public service as an instrument of the developmental state. This advocates the cumulative task of all young people in civil society, business, young professionals, the public service including unemployed young people who must be the future they envisage by taking their successes, skills and talents to their communities.

Young South Africans should respond to the call of the Ministry of Police to recruit volunteers to fight crime in our communities. Active citizenship starts with our young people as protagonists for peace and justice. Youth Month and beyond must celebrate the vibrant voice of youth, by embracing the task, being footstools of our people and continue to influence the State, Organisation and the Alliance.

We celebrate Youth Month whilst we host the FIFA Confederation Cup and prepare for the 2010 World Cup. Such a remarkable achievement requires us to reflect National Pride in all our actions especially in supporting our home team, Bafana Bafana. The spirit of the nation during the victories of our sporting teams have exuded our love for South Africa, let it be one of the many symbols of pride that tie us together as we host our foreign guests.

We have a great task ahead of us and we are sure that we will not disappoint South Africa's youth, but will do everything in our power to ensure that young people's lives are radically improved and that they have access to sustainable opportunities.

Aluta Continua!

Julius Malema, the President of the ANC Youth League