The Mpumalanga African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) Conference finally concluded on Thursday with the election of new leadership, following scuffles at the accreditation venue over the exclusion of 22 branches from the Emalahleni region.

The conference, which took place in Witbank, began on Wednesday. Thulasizwe Thomo was elected chairperson and Lucky Zitha was elected as deputy chairperson.

Thandeka Skhosana was elected secretary, Zwelo Masilela was elected deputy secretary and Thabang Mathebula gained the treasurer post.

According to Zitha, youth unemployment is the main focus for the youth league, adding that despite disputes and disagreements within the ANC, the common mission is the liberation of young people.

“In South Africa, as we stand, the scourge of youth unemployment is skyrocketing and that should rather be the focus than our disagreements as a movement. The young people were free and excited when they cast their vote yesterday. That simply tells you that the youth were allowed their space and that is what we have always been fighting for, that no old people would come to intervene,” he said.