I recently attended a speech by a prominent South African political leader, Ronald Lamola, about the future of the youth in the country. Lamola is the current Deputy President of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) and because of my position within the South African Students Congress (SASCO) at UCT as well as an ANCYL member, his speech held a lot of relevance to me and my branch.

He represented all that is the ANCYL right now, exuding bravado, confidence, sway, populism and all other current ANCYL trademarks. Even from afar he still managed to show off his presence, demanding respect from all those around him. He is the people’s choice. Or second choice, depending on how you view South African politics.

There is no denying that there are underlying tensions within our society especially within the youth. The inequality within the country seems to be perpetuating itself relentlessly as the youth naturally take the largest hit. The youth are looking for someone to champion their cause, someone to be their voice to the powers that be. The ANCYL, championing economic freedom for the youth within their lifetime.

As a member (“in good standing” as many would add on) of the ANCYL, I hold pride in respecting those elected into leadership. However, whlist listening to the Lamola, it was evident that respect should not allow one to ignore his/her own feelings on a matter. Especially if those feelings centre on whether one should decide what the speaker is saying as right or wrong.

Lamola pointed out many hard and relevant “facts” about the state of our country, many of which I whole-heartedly agree with. Issues such as inequality within society, lack of transformation within the economy perpetuating the gap between the rich and poor. A statement that particularly struck me was when he said that sports cannot be the only thing that will unite a country such as South Africa; the only thing that will unite us is economic freedom.

Clearly well versed in the art of persuading a crowd towards his views there was an underlying theme within his speech that struck me as unacceptable. His continued reflection of society being one in which the white population continually takes away from the black population, a society that will only be free when black people take from white people. The repetitive nature in which he jovially claimed that white people remain the root cause of all problems within our society is one that worried me as well as deeply saddened me.

To have someone in such a high position within our organisation continually trivialise our struggle against inequality, unemployment and poverty to mere race is regrettable. Achieving economic freedom within our country has and will always be a complex matter. It is not one in which a simple solution will produce a simple end product. Lamola’s utterances should not be plainly accepted by the youth of South Africa.

With the end of Apartheid came the universal call from all people, that what transpired during those years should never happen again. Our society should build towards addressing the injustices of the past. Those without the means should be given the means. Those disadvantaged by the past should be allowed to compete equally with those who have been advantaged by the past. Our society is one already built on inequality. We should not make it one built on fear as well.

My respect for my ANCYL leaders remains intact, but far from certain. A lesson learnt this week is that sometimes those who lead you are not necessarily leading down the right path. Respect your leaders, but respect your feelings, thoughts and opinions more. Cherish them, because sometimes when you are being led astray those same feelings, thoughts and opinions will place you back on the right path.

Kgotsi Chikane