ANC Youth League president Collen Malatji says the ANC cannot campaign effectively while it continues to deploy “lazy” councillors, mayors, and ministers, warning that communities are frustrated and losing confidence in the party.
Speaking at the Peter Mokaba Memorial Lecture in North West on Friday, Malatji said voters and communities were tired of public representatives who failed to deliver services and were disconnected from the people they were meant to lead.
“They are tired of lazy councillors. They are tired of lazy mayors. They are tired of lazy officials. They are tired of lazy premiers, MECs, and ministers,” he said.
He added that citizens wanted visible improvements in their daily lives, which could only come from decisive leadership.
Malatji said the ANC’s declining support reflected growing frustration.
“Our people do not understand anymore. They have responded. They have given us 40% of their support, and gave 60% to all different political parties that don’t represent the interests of our people,” he said.
He warned that when citizens lose respect and trust in leaders, they could act out of spite.
“The moment the people lose respect and trust in you, they can do anything. They can even elect a monkey to spite you,” he said.
He criticised failing municipalities, saying evidence of collapse was clear and action could not be delayed.
“They tell you the municipality has collapsed. What more research do you want for you to change the municipality around?” Malatji asked, calling for swift accountability. “Fire the mayor, fire the troika, fire the administrators, recruit afresh,” he said.
Malatji also highlighted corruption and misuse of state resources, saying officials often prioritised their own enrichment over delivering for communities.
“Every day, when you send departments to intervene, they ask first, where is the budget, because they want to eat the money,” he said.
He warned against deploying councillors who were unknown and disconnected from their communities. “Now, who are these councillors leading?” he asked, describing officials who could walk through shopping centres without being recognised.
He cited the ANC’s experience in the 2021 local government elections, saying the best-run ward in the North West was led by young people.
“What more evidence do you need when we tell you that retired pensioners give responsibility to the youth to protect their own future?” he said.
Malatji emphasised that public representatives must be seen as problem-solvers, not problems.
“When people see you, they must see a person who can resolve their problem, not a problem,” he said.
He also criticised municipal managers and administrators, accusing some of acting as law unto themselves and undermining deployed leaders.
“The real corrupt people are those who are not members of the ANC or municipal managers who steal from the poor every day,” he said.
He stressed that deployment must prioritise competence. “Don’t deploy mayors who can’t even open laptops,” Malatji said,
He asserted that the Youth League had educated and capable young people ready to take responsibility.
He added that uneducated youth should also be included in the economy, but not in positions of high responsibility without the required skills.
Politics
