In the past, political leadership used to be the sole preserve of older men in Africa, including South Africa.
In some other parts of Africa the status quo remains. Older men continue to dominate the political leadership.
But now the leadership dynamics in politics are changing. For instance, the EFF leader Julius Malema is younger than 35 years of age. The same applies to the official opposition leader Mmusi Maimane. That means the second and third most powerful political parties in the country are led by youth.
It must be hard for president Jacob Zuma, who is in his 70s, to debate with such young leaders in parliament. The same applies to his deputy Cyril Ramaphosa, who is in his 60s. That also includes other older cabinet ministers.
Interestingly, Malema and Maimane are young enough to be Zuma and Ramaphosa’s children or grandchildren. But in parliament, that doesn’t count. The president and his deputy have to treat the two young leaders in the opposition benches as equals.
During the SONA debate, the DA leader said president Zuma is no longer “honourable” to lead the country. Malema echoed the same sentiment and left parliament with his red brigade. The EFF leader has threatened to impeach the president if his party doesn’t recall him.
Since the arrival of the youthful EFF in parliament, the rules of the game have changed. The governing party always finds itself in a defensive mode, courtesy of the red berets. The EFF sets the agenda, the governing party reacts.
The ruling party goes to an elective conference next year. Ramaphosa and Nkosazana Zuma, the president’s ex-wife, are expected to vie for the party presidency. Both are at retirement age. It remains unclear who will be bidding for the deputy presidency of the party.
In its elective conference, the ANC should consider electing more young people into its executive committee. And also infuse young people in parliament.
The world is getting young. Otherwise, the youthful EFF will continue to give the ANC a headache in parliament.
