Fikile Mbalula

Fikile Mbalula is a South African politician, a member of the national executive committee of the African National Congress and former leader of the African National Congress Youth League. He has been credited with, and claimed credit for, installing Thabo Mbeki as the South African President – and replacing him as ANC leader.

Career

Mbalula was elected to the ANC NEC at the party's Polokwane conference in December 2007 in 15th place, measured in number of votes. [IOL(1)] He subsequently retired as president of the ANC Youth League of which, at age 36, he was no longer eligible to be a member. [News24(1)]

Mbalula was elected president of the ANC Youth League in August 2004, having previously held the post of secretary general. [SABC(1)]

Mbalula has been credited with installing South African President Thabo Mbeki in that position, and for later deposing him as head of the ANC. [IOL(2)] His support has also been described as key in gaining Zuma the ANC presidency in a hard-fought race with Mbeki. [News.com.au(1)]

He also supported the candidacy of Julius Malema to succeed him as head of the Youth League in what was seen as a move to ensure continuing League support for Zuma. [Mail & Guardian(1)]

Controversial statements

Known for his flowing (if not always logical) speaking style [News24(2)] , Mbalula has several times made headlines with controversial statements. In June 2007 he likened the University of KwaZulu-Natal to Bombay, saying black students were left on the periphery while those of Indian descent swelled the ranks. [Independent Online(3)]

In December 2007, amid rising tensions in the run-up to the ANC's Polokwane conference, Mbalula wrote a letter to finance minister Trevor Manuel calling him arrogant and an "attention-seeking drama queen". This followed Manuel dismissing Mbalula as a "self-appointed spokesperson of the national democratic revolution". [Independent Online(4)]

In April 2008 Mbalula said that Barney Pityana, rector of the University of South Africa had "made a clown of himself by his overzealous confusion and comical postulations" after Pityana expressed criticism of Zuma.

Notes

References

*cite web
url=http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=6&art_id=vn20071221112828576C498669
title=Meet Jacob Zuma's A-team
publisher=Independent Online
accessdate=27 July
accessyear=2008

*cite web
url=http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=13&set_id=1&art_id=vn20080111073807686C336747
title=Zuma's NWC vs Mbeki's cabinet
publisher=Independent Online
accessdate=27 July
accessyear=2008

*cite web
url=http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=105&art_id=vn20070618092501312C917924
title=Mbalula's comment angers UKZN staff
publisher=Independent Online
accessdate=27 July
accessyear=2008

*cite web
url=http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=6&art_id=vn20071214045007928C216401
title= 'Drama queen' Manuel slammed by Mbalula
publisher=Independent Online
accessdate=27 July
accessyear=2008

*cite web
url=http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/Politics/0,,2-7-12_2180863,00.html
title=ANCYL president to retire at 36
publisher=News24
accessdate=27 July
accessyear=2008

*cite web
url=http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/Politics/0,,2-7-12_2241333,00.html
title='Are you mockering me?'
publisher=News24
accessdate=27 July
accessyear=2008

*cite web
url=http://www.sabcnews.com/politics/the_parties/0,2172,86282,00.html
title=ANC Youth League calls on members to put country first
publisher=SABC
accessdate=27 July
accessyear=2008

*cite web
url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22952688-5003402,00.html
title=Zuma backers urge new direction
publisher=News.com.au
accessdate=27 July
accessyear=2008

*cite web
url=http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-04-07-malema-elected-as-new-ancyl-leader
title=Malema elected as new ANCYL leader
publisher=Mail & Guardian
accessdate=27 July
accessyear=2008