The ANC Youth League is disgusted by Independent Newspapers' report which
claims that ANC YL President Julius Malema said President Zuma is worse than
President Mbeki. We also dismiss the suggestion that we convened a press
conference to respond to President Zuma in public, because we did not. We
instead responded to questions in the press conference of the newly elected
leadership of the ANC Youth League in Limpopo. At no stage did President
Julius Malema compare President Zuma with President Mbeki and will never do
that because that is not principled. The point which the ANC Youth League
emphasised was that of the tradition of internal engagement on areas of
necessary differences and misunderstanding, which we believe should not be
handled in the public discourse as it portrays the ANC that is in conflict
with its young wing. Different opinions and approaches are characteristic of
the ANC in the process of internal engagements, but once decisions are
taken, all of us are bound by such decisions.

The ANC Youth League abides by the process outlined by President Jacob Zuma,
particularly the urgent meeting which will sit to discuss the detail of some
of the issues raised on Zimbabwe, media freedom, the death of Eugene
Terre'Blanche and the singing of freedom songs. The ANC Youth League will
never undermine the authority of ANC President Zuma, and will consistently
respect his guidance on areas of principle. The ANC Youth League is looking
forward to a fruitful, constructive engagement with the leadership of the
ANC not only on the issues identified here, but on other substantial issues
such as funding for the National Youth Development Agency, the role of State
Owned Enterprises and government's response in defence of the Minerals and
Petroleum Resources Development Act. We will continue to defend President
Zuma like we did when it was not fashionable to defend him.

Long live President Zuma Long Live. Long live the ANC Long Live.