YCLSA
By Thabo Mosia
26 May 2025 – The Young Communist League of South Africa (YCLSA) has amplified its global presence at the 21st General Assembly of the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY) in Windhoek, Namibia, standing firm in its fight against imperialism and the escalating youth unemployment crisis. Hosted by the SWAPO Party Youth League, the assembly marked 80 years since the WFDY’s founding, with the YCLSA, led by National Secretary Mzwandile Thakhudi, recommitting to building a world of peace, equality, and economic justice for young people everywhere.
A Milestone Gathering in Windhoek
The WFDY, established in 1945 to combat fascism and promote global unity, gathered youth organisations from across the world in Namibia—known as the land of the brave—to reaffirm its mission. The assembly, held under the banner of the SWAPO Party Youth League, celebrated eight decades of advocating for peace and friendship while opposing colonialism, imperialism, and exploitation. For the YCLSA, a proud member of this progressive federation, the event was a chance to strengthen its role in protecting the rights and dreams of youth globally.
In his address, Mzwandile Thakhudi echoed the WFDY’s founding pledge: “We pledge ourselves to build the unity of youth of the world, all races, all colours, all nationalities, all beliefs. To eliminate all traces of fascism from the earth to build a deep and sincere international friendship among the peoples of the world. To keep a just lasting peace. To eliminate want, frustration, and enforced idleness.” He added, “FORWARD FOR OUR FUTURE,” underscoring the YCLSA’s unwavering dedication to these principles, especially as young people face growing challenges.
Confronting the Youth Unemployment Crisis
The assembly shone a spotlight on the worsening conditions for youth worldwide, with over 80% of the global population trapped in poverty and millions of skilled young minds left idle. In South Africa, the situation is dire. The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) reported a national unemployment rate of 32.1% in Q3 2024, with youth unemployment (ages 15-34) soaring to 45.5%. This crisis, the YCLSA argues, clashes with the profit-driven goals of imperialism, which neglects the well-being of young people.
Thakhudi highlighted how education, often shaped by capitalist interests, fails to empower youth. “It is vividly clear that under circumstances the object of education is not to teach the youth to love their people and their culture, to honour human brotherhood, liberty and peace as the Freedom Charter (1950) intimated but to put profits before the collective interest of the people and the youth,” he said. The YCLSA calls for a shift towards education that serves humanity, not just the elite.
Globally, the picture is equally grim. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that 73 million young people were unemployed in 2024, with many more in precarious, low-paying jobs. This stark reality fuels the YCLSA’s resolve to push for social emancipation and economic justice.
A United Stand Against Imperialism
The 21st General Assembly reaffirmed the WFDY’s resolute opposition to fascism, colonialism, and imperialism—values the YCLSA holds dear. The federation condemned war, foreign interference, Zionism, racism, and xenophobia, advocating for a multipolar world rooted in peace, sovereignty, and self-determination.
The YCLSA saluted the courage of oppressed peoples worldwide, including Palestinians resisting genocide, Latin Americans defending their sovereignty—like the Cuban and Venezuelan youth—and Africans battling neocolonialism, such as the Sahrawi people. “We are inspired by the fact that neither WFDY nor its member organizations have stopped or paused on our protracted struggle against the aggressive offensive of imperialism,” Thakhudi noted, reinforcing the league’s solidarity with these causes.
New Leadership, New Hope
A highlight of the assembly was the election of a 35-member General Council, the WFDY’s main governing body per its 1990 Constitution. The YCLSA congratulated the new leadership, including the President from Portugal’s Communist Youth (JCP), the General Secretary from Cuba’s Young Communist League (UJC), and the Vice President for Africa from the SWAPO Party Youth League. The council also welcomed representatives from groups like Zimbabwe’s ZANU-PF Youth League, Angola’s JMPLA, Namibia’s NANSO, South Africa’s ANCYL, and Western Sahara’s UJSARIO.
The YCLSA itself secured a seat on the General Council, a proud moment coinciding with its 103rd anniversary. “We wish our National Secretary, Mzwandile Thakhudi, more strength in his new responsibility of representing the Young Communist League of South Africa in the World Federation of Democratic Youth General Council,” the organisation stated, celebrating this milestone.
South Africa’s Ongoing Struggle
Back home, South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis remains a pressing concern. Government efforts, such as the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI), have created opportunities, placing over 1.5 million young people in jobs or training since 2020. Yet, the YCLSA insists these measures fall short of tackling systemic inequality and the lingering effects of apartheid’s economic legacy. With over 60% of the country’s unemployed being under 35, the need for bold action is urgent.
Globally, the WFDY assembly’s outcomes resonate with South Africa’s challenges, linking local struggles to a broader fight against exploitation. The YCLSA sees this as a call to unite youth in dismantling barriers to opportunity and building a future where talent isn’t wasted.
A Call to Action
As the WFDY marks 80 years of resistance and hope, the YCLSA’s strengthened global voice signals a renewed push for change. Thakhudi urged young people to join the fight: “This material conditions demand of us to recommit ourselves to a struggle for a social emancipation and economic justice.” The league envisions a world where youth are not sidelined but empowered to shape their destinies.
The YCLSA invites all South Africans—and youth worldwide—to support its mission. Visit their website or follow them on social media to get involved and stand for a future free from poverty, oppression, and enforced idleness.
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