ANC Youth League president Collen Malatji has come to the defense of its treasurer, General Zwelo Masilela, amidst controversy surrounding his qualifications. Masilela, who worked as a senior researcher in the Mbombela municipality for five years without a post-matric qualification, has faced scrutiny after it was revealed during interviews for positions on the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) board.
During the interviews, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member Sihle Lonzi questioned Masilela about how he landed the position of senior researcher without the necessary qualifications. Masilela’s CV indicated that he worked at the municipality from 2016 to 2023, despite stating that he completed his diploma in journalism in 2021.
In response, Masilela explained that he did not apply for the senior researcher position and had raised concerns about being given the job. He clarified that he applied to be a personal assistant in the office of the chief whip but was placed in the senior researcher role due to a political office movement. Despite feeling unqualified for the position, Masilela felt compelled to accept the role.
ANCYL President Collen Malatji defended Masilela, stating that situations like this are not uncommon when individuals are moved within political structures. He emphasized that Masilela had been transparent about the circumstances and had formally raised his concerns about the mismatched responsibilities.
In response to Lonzi’s complaint to the public protector against the NYDA, Masilela, and the Mbombela municipality, Malatji dismissed it as a populist stunt by the EFF. He criticized the EFF for using the situation as a political opportunity to target the youth league treasurer general.
Malatji also addressed the recent actions of AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement, who visited the United States to seek action against South Africa, claiming persecution of Afrikaners. He asserted that Afrikaners were the biggest beneficiaries of land theft in South Africa and urged AfriForum to work towards a non-racial society within the country.
He called on AfriForum to engage with the youth league and collaborate on restructuring and redistributing land while rebuilding the economy to benefit the majority. Malatji emphasized the need for unity and cooperation to address the socio-economic challenges stemming from apartheid, which had disproportionately affected the majority of South Africans.
In conclusion, Malatji’s statements highlight the complexities of political appointments, the importance of transparency, and the need for collaboration to address historical injustices and build a more inclusive society.
