The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) apologised on Tuesday for the "misunderstanding" around the appointment of Nomvula Mokonyane as Gauteng Premier.

"We apologise unconditionally to the people of South Africa and the leadership of the ANC for the embarrassment we caused the organisation," ANCYL provincial secretary Thabo Kupa told a press briefing in Johannesburg.

"We understand and respect the decision of the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC), that comrade Nomvula Mokonyane serve as Premier of Gauteng for the government term starting in 2009."

Last week, the league said it would ask Mokonyane, currently Gauteng Housing MEC, to decline her selection as the provinces' new Premier.

The league wanted current Premier Paul Mashatile to stay on the job. It said Mokonyane was selected to fill gender quotas.

ANCYL president Julius Malema said they had a preference and were within their rights to have one, as they had "invested" a lot in Mashatile.

Malema said they had a right to express themselves and that they had been disappointed by Mokonyane's appointment. Their previous statement had been made because they were "shocked" by the NEC's decision.

"If a ruling is not made in your favour, you will be shocked... Even Mbeki was shocked in Polokwane," said Malema, referring to Thabo Mbeki's being replaced as ANC president by Jacob Zuma.