Youth League members back Ramokgopa for ANC president

THE ANC Youth League in Gauteng and Limpopo has entered the succession debate within the party by throwing its weight behind Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, as its preferred candidate to succeed Cyril Ramaphosa in 2027.

- MASHUDU SADIKE

According to sources within the structures, Ramokgopa’s youth and ability to take the movement forward make him an attractive candidate to become the party's next president.

“We are clear that we will be lobbying for Comrade Sputla (Ramokgopa) merely because he is still young and will be able to take the movement forward while we have Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi to deputise him,” a senior member of the ANCYL in Gauteng said.

“These two comrades understand the youth and you can see in their respective portfolios that they cater for the youth...and the future is the youth,” he said.

He said party structures, including the ANCYL in Limpopo, were having secret discussions to lobby for Ramokgopa and Lesufi.

Although this was not the official position for the ANCYL, the members said they were also in talks with Youth League president Collen Malatji on what position to take.

Efforts to reach Malatji and Ramokgopa yesterday were unsuccessful.