Young Communist League 12 - 21 - 06

Building Youth Power for Socialism!

YCL Media Statement on the Outcomes of the 2nd National Congress

21 December 2006

The Young Communist League of SA held its 2nd National Congress, under the strategic theme: Building Youth Power for Socialism, in Mangosuthu Technikon,uMlazi, Durban, as from the 14 - 17 December 2006. In attandence was 861 voting delegates, 43 International guests, leaders of the ANC, SACP and COSATU. The Congress was addressed by the SACP General Secretary, Blade Nzimande, COSATU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and ANC Deputy President Jacob Zuma.

We are a growing organisation, and determined to grow.

The Second National Congress received a National Committee Political and Organisational Reports which detailed activities of the organisation since the re-establishment Congress. From this, the Second National Congress noted the unity and cohesion of the YCL, the relevance of our programmes to young people and the ability to mobilise young people behind our campaigns.

Congress further noted the significant growth of the YCLSA since its re-establishment in December 2003. At the time of going to Congress, the membership of the YCLSA stood at 18 080. The Congress re-affirned the need for intensifying Operation Khula in order to ensure that by the end of 2007, we reach 100 000 members.

In three (3) years of our existence, we have been able to drawn in a number of young women who constitutes 58% of our membership and this is a reflection that young women in particular and the youth in general are fed up with Capitalism and therefore rallying behind the socialist struggle.

Congress decided that the YCL should contest SRC elections through the Progressive Youth Alliance. There are already cases were this is happening. This is in line with building a strong and vobrant PYA, strengthening our ties with the ANCYL and SASCO. We note that in certain instances contest for SRC elections have been used to divide the progressive voice of youth on campuses, and caution that those who want to use the YCL for this purpose will be dealt with accordingly. Congress further agreed to strengthen relations with COSAS as part of ensuring that we build a strong student movement.

The new National Committee has been mandated to develop a strategy for building strong branches in townships. Although the YCL has grown stronger and stronger in rural and semi-urban areas, we have experienced weak structures in townships. Congress endorsed the proposal for YCL branches to build Youth Clubs in order to ensure that we strengthen the voice of youth in communities. The role of these youth clubs would be to fight against HIV/AIDS, mobilise youth for employment and against poverty, and play a leading role in mobilising young people into cultural and various recreational activities.

Congress decided to introduce a five year membership system in order to allow members to join and grow within the YCL. This will help in concentrating on political induction and education, rather than the cumbersome administrative work of yearly renewal.

Congress agreed to intensify the Defiance Campaign, the "Friends of Kabelo Campaign" and other campaigns. We have had discussions with the National Prosecutions Authority around the Kabelo Thibedi campaign. We intend to establish the Kabelo Thibedi Trust, who has already registered with UNISA in Communications.

Congress re-affirmed the call made by the Policy and Strategy Conference on the Inquest on the assasination of Chris Hani. We will henceforth intensify the campaign for signatures to support the call for the inquest.

State Power

Having considered the Poltical Report presented for discussion, congress resolved that the YCL will seek a reveiw of the SACP's MTV in line with the current SACP Discussion Document at the next congress of the SACP. Furthermore delegates committed the YCL to building a vibrant and strong SACP of cadres commited to Socialism. Congress endorsed the South African Road to Socialism presented by the SACP General Secretary.

Whilst elections are significant, Congress agreed that they are not the only route to Socialism. The YCL will pusruade the SACP to move toward agreeing on a pact with the ANC around members of the SACP serving in all tiers of government.

The YCL will closely work with the trade union movement to explore various means to deepne working class influence in centers of power.

Renaming of public places

Congress called for the renaming of Durban and Cape Town International Airport to Moses Mabhida and Bram Fischer respectively. These are stalwarts whose names should be engraved in the history of South Africa. The renaming of public places and spaces should be determined along apartheid geography.

Free Education - batlle of ideas, teaching Dialectical and historical materialism.

Congress re-affirmed the call for Free Education, and inclusion of dialectical and historical materialism in the general public education curriculum.

The Right to Work

Congress re-affirmed the YCL commitment to dismantling of the capitalist system. We committ ourselves to radical reforms that will lay basis for the dismantling of capitalism, whilst improving the lives of the working class and the poor through poverty reduction and creation of sustainable and quality employment opportunities. We re-affirm of our call for nationalisation of key industry, and a policy change that will provide more opportunities for the working class and the poor.

2010 World Cup

We believe that the 2010 World Cup in South Africa will not benefit young people, but existent white capital and elements of the BEE.

Issued by Young Communist League of South Africa

For more information contacts: Castro Ngobese @ 082 567 3557