ANC Youth League (ANCYL).
By Thabo Mosia
ANC veteran Matthews Phosa has stated that the expulsion of Julius Malema from the ANC was a political mistake that significantly weakened the ANC Youth League (ANCYL).
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh on a recent episode of SMWX, Phosa revealed that the ANCYL has not fully recovered from Malema’s departure and the organization has been struggling ever since.
Phosa reflected on the turbulent political period that saw Malema’s ousting, the mass exodus of young ANC members, and the long-term consequences of that move. He also offered a rare behind-the-scenes look into the ANC’s internal struggles, the transition of power between former presidents Thabo Mbeki, Jacob Zuma, and Cyril Ramaphosa, as well as the broader trajectory of South African politics.
Phosa: Malema’s Expulsion Weakened the ANCYL
During the interview, Mathews Phosa—who served as the ANC’s Treasurer-General from 2007 to 2012—did not mince his words regarding Malema’s departure.
“We lost 1 million of the youth when Malema left. True. Gone. And the ANC Youth League has never recovered.”Phosa’s remarks highlight a reality that many within the ANC have long known but seldom acknowledged publicly: the ANCYL, once a powerful force within the party, has struggled to maintain relevance since Malema’s departure.
Before his expulsion, Malema led the ANCYL with a militant stance, pushing for policies like land expropriation without compensation and nationalisation of key industries. His rhetoric, though controversial, resonated with a large segment of South Africa’s youth.
However, in 2011, Malema’s remarks about Botswana’s government being a “footstool of imperialism” sparked disciplinary action. He was charged with bringing the party into disrepute and sowing division. The ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC), led by Derek Hanekom, ultimately decided to expel Malema in February 2012.
Looking back, Phosa believes that the ANC mishandled the situation:
“In a political movement, you need to use politics to resolve political problems. You don’t settle scores.”The aftermath of Malema’s expulsion saw the ANCYL leadership disbanded in 2013, and successive leaders have failed to revive its militant energy. The youth league, once a critical voice within the ANC, has been largely sidelined, with its influence diminishing in national discourse.
Malema’s Expulsion Paved the Way for the EFF
Following his expulsion, Malema wasted no time in building a political alternative to the ANC. In 2013, he founded the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), positioning the party as a radical pro-poor, pro-black economic liberation movement.
Under Malema’s leadership, the EFF has grown to become South Africa’s third-largest political party. Its policies—once dismissed as radical within the ANC—have now become central to the national debate on economic transformation.
Phosa acknowledged the unintended consequences of Malema’s expulsion:
“We should not have expelled him. He was a young, vibrant leader, and instead of pushing him out, we should have engaged with him constructively. That decision cost us dearly.”The EFF’s rise has eroded ANC support, especially among the youth, many of whom feel that the ruling party has failed to deliver on its promises of economic freedom. Malema and his party have successfully positioned themselves as the real champions of economic transformation, often outmaneuvering the ANC in debates on issues like land reform, corruption, and social justice.
The ANC’s loss was the EFF’s gain—and Phosa believes the party is still paying the price.
Inside the ANC’s Decline: Phosa’s Explosive Revelations
Beyond his analysis of the ANCYL’s decline, Phosa’s interview with Mpofu-Walsh touched on critical moments in South Africa’s political history, including:
• The recall of Thabo Mbeki (2008)
• Jacob Zuma’s presidency (2009–2018)
• Cyril Ramaphosa’s rise to power (2018-present)
Mbeki’s Recall: “We Were in the Room”
Phosa played a key role in the ANC’s decision to recall Thabo Mbeki as president in 2008, following Jacob Zuma’s victory at the Polokwane Conference in 2007.
He recalled the tension in the room as the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) debated whether Mbeki should step down:
“We were discussing a constitutional matter. Mbeki had to go. There was no turning back.”Mbeki’s dismissal marked a turning point in ANC history, leading to deep divisions within the party—divisions that persist to this day.
Jacob Zuma: A Presidency of Highs and Lows
Phosa also discussed his tenure as ANC Treasurer-General during Jacob Zuma’s first term (2009-2014), a period of financial stability for the party. He raised billions of rands for the ANC, ensuring that provinces received funding for elections.
However, Zuma’s presidency later descended into controversy, marked by state capture allegations and widespread corruption.
Phosa admitted that the Nkandla scandal and the Constitutional Court’s ruling against Zuma in 2016 were the final straw:
“When the Constitutional Court ruled on Nkandla, I knew we had lost our way. That’s when I called for Zuma to step down.”His call for Zuma’s resignation placed him at odds with ANC leadership, but Phosa stood firm.
Zuma’s Resignation in 2018: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
According to Phosa, Zuma’s final days as president were marked by intense backroom negotiations. He personally advised Zuma to step down to avoid humiliation.
“I told him, ‘Baba, you need to consider resigning. I love you, but you have to go.’”Zuma eventually resigned in February 2018, paving the way for Cyril Ramaphosa to take over.
Lessons from the Past: What’s Next for the ANC?
As the ANC approaches the 2024 national elections, it faces declining voter confidence, internal factional battles, and increasing competition from opposition parties like the EFF and DA.
Phosa believes the ANC can still recover, but only if it learns from past mistakes:
“The ANC must return to its core values of unity and service delivery. We must put the people first, not factions.”However, with ANC support dropping below 50% in some polls, the party may be heading into its most challenging election yet.
Conclusion: A Candid Reflection on South Africa’s Political Landscape
Mathews Phosa’s interview with Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh was a rare and revealing look at the inner workings of the ANC and its key political moments over the last 30 years.
His frank admission that the ANCYL has never recovered from Malema’s expulsion adds to growing criticism of how the party has handled internal dissent and leadership transitions.
With the ANC facing one of its toughest elections in 2024, Phosa’s words serve as a stark reminder that political miscalculations can have long-term consequences.
“We lost a million young people when Malema left. That is the truth. And we are still feeling it today.”
As South Africa heads into a pivotal election year, the question remains: Can the ANC fix its internal divisions before it’s too late?
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