Lebogang Maile elected ANCYL Gauteng chair

The ANC Youth League in Gauteng has elected Lebogang Maile as the organisation's new chairman in Gauteng.

The SABC reports that Maile, who was unofficially backed by Gauteng ANC chairman Paul Mashatile, was contesting the position against Thabo Kupa, who was unofficially backed by ANCYL president Julius Malema and Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane.

Voting took place in the early hours of the morning and the results were announced after the votes had been counted, the broadcaster reported.

In a speech at the conference in Boksburg on Saturday, Malema told delegates none of the contestants had the leadership's backing.

"If you are losing a congress, don't blame it on us. And if you are winning a congress don't put our names into your [speeches]. 'The president want's me, the president doesn't want me. The chairman want's me, the chairman doesn't want me. The NEC wants me, the NEC doesn't want me'. Do your work. These are delegates here, talk to the delegates," he said.

The congress started about four hours late with supporters of the two contestants avoiding one another. Maile's supporters sang and danced in the parking area while waiting for the congress to start, with Kupa's supporters staying near the hall.