Overview

What were the origins of the ANC Youth League, where has it gone wrong and how can it once again become an organization that represents and supports South Africa's youth? For most of its existence, the ANC Youth League has played a powerful role in the politics of the ANC, and therefore of South Africa. In this book, former Youth League member Rebone Tau tells the story of the league, from its formation in Soweto in 1944 to its banning, reconstitution and current standing, highlighting key incidents that led to the organization's rise and fall. The book explores the radicalizing role played by the league's early leaders, such as Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and O.R. Tambo; the formation of the ANC Youth and Students Section in exile, first led by Thabo Mbeki; the return from exile in the 1990s and the leadership of Peter Mokaba; the controversies around the presidency of Julius Malema and his subsequent sacking; and the absence of Youth League leadership in the #FeesMustFall movement and current South African politics. Finally, the book considers the role that the Youth League could play in the future. Drawing on exclusive interviews with Youth League insiders, this is a fascinating glimpse into a vital and volatile institution in South African politics.

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9781776093700

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Rebone 'Sankara' Tau is a former member of the ANC Youth League National Task Team and chairperson of the Subcommittee on International Relations. She is a member of the ANC NEC International Relations Subcommittee and an associate of the Southern African Liaison Office (SALO), a South African-based civil society organization that contributes to building peace and security by facilitating dialogue and consensus between national, regional, and international players. She currently works for the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation as program manager for political affairs focusing on South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Her political opinion pieces appear in various publications, including the Daily Maverick, Mail & Guardian, News24, The New Age and City Press. She was shortlisted for the City Press Tafelberg Non-Fiction Award in September 2016.

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