Where are the young, competent, and qualified leaders of the ANC in Free State? 

With a few weeks left before the very unlikely ANC provincial conference lists going around begs serious questions on a generational mix and the roles played by ANCYL and ANCWL in the province. 

In a country where the majority is youth, how young people are treated in politics can be interpreted as politics of the stomach as young people are kept at bay and silenced. 

Over the past 5 years, the top 5 albeit disbanded was dominated by the old guard, and young, competent leaders have been pushed aside. 

With at least all lists not having young people Step UP SA news has compiled a list of 6 young people who should be part of the generational mix and in no particular order: 

Makalo Mohale,

Mohale, the current MEC for DESTEA is a qualified lawyer. 

He holds an LLB degree from the University of South Africa and a BCom degree from the University of the Free State. He holds a post-graduate diploma in law, a post-graduate diploma in contracting, and a diploma in corporate law from the University of Johannesburg.

Mohale became active in politics while at the University of the Free State. He served as the branch chairperson of the South African Student Congress at the university between 2002 and 2003. He was SASCO’s provincial secretary from 2003 to 2004. He also served as the branch chairperson of the National Education, Health, and Allied Workers’ Union from 2006 to 2007.
While holding these positions, he also held senior positions in the African National Congress and its youth league.

From 2002 until 2004, Mohale served as the deputy secretary of the party’s Thutong branch in Mangaung and as the chairperson of the youth league at the University of the Free State.

He was chair of the youth league in Parys between 2008 and 2011.

In 2013, Mohale became the convenor of the provincial youth league structure and was elected as chairperson the following year.

Gadija Brown,

Brown is, a UFS graduate and also holds various certificates in business banking, leadership program, banking, and computer programming A+. Brown worked in the business and banking sector for 19 years.

She has served the African National Congress as a representative in the economic cluster, the provincial cluster, the policy conference on the economy, and the land summit.

She was chief financial officer, deputy director general for economic development, and subsequently, head of the department at the provincial Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs. On 1 April 2018, she became the head of the department at the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.

Phiwe Mathe

Mathe, a UFS graduate with BA in Governance and Political Transformation was the president of SRC at the University and he can be remembered for his stance in 2014 when he took a firm position following a racist advert on racial profiling. 

Earlier this year in his capacity as ANCYL spokesperson he condemned the appointment of Palesa Chubisi as Premier’s second spokesperson. 

He is currently the PA to MEC Tate Makgoe and he should be an HoD in one of these useless departments. 

Next week we will profile three other young people who can contribute positively. 

If you have any news please email us at news@stepupsanews.co.za or WhatsApp 0685000246