ANCYL supporters upset meeting
2008-06-24 20:12
Phalaborwa - The Limpopo Youth Parliament which sat in Phalaborwa on Monday was marred by persistent disruptions.
Supporters of the ANC Youth League and the Pan Africanist Youth Congress disrupted the proceedings by singing old struggle songs, including the infamous "Umshini wam" (bring me my machine gun).
Some youths wore T-shirts emblazoned with the name of ANC provincial secretary, Cassel Mathale, who is competing with Premier Sello Moloto for the position of ANC chair.
"It was obvious from the beginning that there were groups with different agendas," said Limpopo legislature spokesperson Kenny Mathivha on Tuesday.
When proceedings eventually started, the debate was about skills shortages and the relevance of Further Education and Training (FET) colleges.
"Whilst the rich get richer, the poor get poorer, but one thing for sure is that the poor are dying of poverty whilst the rich die of too much food," said Reggie Mpai of the Young Communist League.
The Youth Parliament was hosted by the Limpopo Legislature and was attended by deputy speaker Catherine Mabuza, members of the provincial legislature, councillors from the Baphalaborwa local municipality and business people.
The theme was: "Parliament empowering the Youth of South Africa for poverty eradication."