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The Young Communist League of South Africa (UFasimba) has for some time been monitoring the conduct of the president of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL), Cde Collen Maine.

As the YCLSA we are now convinced more than ever that Cde Maine is hell-bent on perpetuating an anti-communist agenda and the total disrespect of the unity of the Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA). His conduct especially the constant attack on Cde Blade Nzimande has the potential to divide the alliance. Since he was elected into office he has made it his number one priority to slander the General Secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP).

For Cde Maine to boldly say that he will mobilize young people to march to the house of Cde Nzimande is totally out of order and must be condemned strongly by both the ANC and government. As the YCLSA we are revolted by the perpetual singling out of Cde Blade as if he is a messiah who will wake up tomorrow and just declare free education for all without the support of all his colleagues in government including the president and treasury.

Just yesterday the Minister of Finance in his Mid-term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) stated unequivocally that there will be no more funds pumped to fund tertiary education but no call is made to march to his house. Is it because the Minister of Finance is not a communist? Has the ANCYL in Gauteng called for his resignation? We have fought and defeated anti-communist tendencies in the movement for many years and we shall continue to win similar battles with aplomb.

We call on the ANC to intervene as a matter of urgency on this issue. Failure to take punitive action in this matter will result into the process of manufacturing another Julius Malema. As the leaders of young people in the country we must at all material times strive to be exemplary leaders and lead with dignity. Cde Maine needs to learn that not all militancy is revolutionary and that being radical does not mean that we must disrespect one another in the quest to appear as revolutionaries par excellence. The ANC must call the Cde Maine to a Disciplinary Hearing to explain his behavior and mend his factional character.

The minister has on record assured South Africans that he supports free education and that he stands for its implementation as soon as possible. We must unite as young people and take the fight to the capitalist class which includes university management who are on a quest to turn universities into ivory towers. We condemn the use of genuine student’s demands to further narrow political agendas. The mischievous use of Cde Blade as a scapegoat for the failures of a collective must come to an end immediately.

We call on the ANC to act decisively and to protect its ministers against rogue elements who are hell-bent to further narrow personal and political agendas.

Issued by The Young Communist League of South Africa