By OBAKENG MAJE
The ANCYL in the North West said the newly-appointed North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi is a ‘new breath of fresh air’ as he brings forth an all rounded experience accumulated over many years of serving as a Director of the North West Department of Public Works and Roads, as well as serving as the North West MEC for Social Development.
The ANCYL provincial secretary, Tshiamo Tsotetsi said Mokgosi went through comprehensive ANC internal processes aimed at testing his readiness to assume the position of North West Premier in which he performed and passed with flying colours.
Tsotetsi further said over and above the ANC internal processes, which include being selected by the ANC extended PEC together with two others capable comrades and being interviewed by Luthuli House, Mokgosi is the most senior ANC official after the provincial chairperson, who had already indicated his interest to focus all his energy on the project of rebuilding the organisation.
“Mokgosi has equally served South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU), advancing the rights of the workers as well as the general socio-economic interests of the working class and the poor being the most oppressed class. So, we wish to state without any shadow of doubt that the ANC has accordingly forwarded the best amongst its ranks to lead the process of social transformation, as well as the provision of quality service delivery to the people of the province.
“As we enter into the phase of appointing a team that will work with the Premier to drive service delivery known as EXCO or the MECs, we wish to encourage the ANC to continue being driven sobriety and a desire to give the people of the North West nothing, but the best, capable and most capacitated crop amongst its MPLs,” he said.
Tsotetsi added that the province does not need the best amongst ANC factions and the best amongst ‘friends of the leadership’. He said they need capable men and women to be assigned the tasks of leading the EXCO of the province.
“We plead with the ANC not to appoint comrades who have not served our people well in the past, who are scandalous and whose hands are not entirely clean. Committing such a mistake will invite some credibility crises to the leadership of the ANC, while also reversing the good impact which the North West government had made since the inception of acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi.
“More over giving our people anything less than the best, will amount to an insult to the people of this province. On 28 June 2024, the ANCYL will be marching to deliver a document, which entails the demands of the youth of the province,” said Tsotetsi.
He said as they partook in the door-to-door and sectoral engagement, the organisation met and engaged young people from various walks of life which includes the scholars, drop outs, drug and alcohol addicts, youth in sports, young professionals, youth in agriculture, youth in entertainment and many other young people.
He said a common denominator amongst their demands is that the government must ensure that it creates the necessary opportunities and platforms for them to explore those talents and capabilities.
“The youth of our province is becoming frustrated and depressed. They are left with no choice but to find entertainment in using drugs and alcohol, the traits which rapidly destroy their future, as well as the future of our province.
“We demand that the 7th administration bring along a renewed hope for the youth of the province. We demand that factories must be opened in order for the youth of this province to get sustainable employment. We demand that the mines in the platinum belt stop retrenching our people,” said Tsotetsi.
He said they also demand that the agricultural cooperative be supported by the government sponsored market in order for them to sell their produce. Tsotetsi said they demand that every community have a decent sporting facility and unemployment teachers be hired.
“We demand that unemployed graduates be absorbed by both the private and public sector. We demand land and support for young farmers, and a public amply theatre in Mahikeng as part of supporting the arts and artists.
“We demand better wages for young journalists and media personnel. We demand a decent working environment for the young working in the private sector and demand that the government wages a fight against gangsterism,” he said.
The Guardian 