Constitution

ANCYL CONSTITUTION 2023

Download ANCYL Constitution 2023

TABLE OF CONTENT

ARTICLE A: PREAMBLE
ARTICLE B: NAME
ARTICLE C: COLOURS AND SYMBOLS
ARTICLE D: AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
ARTICLE E: STATUS
ARTICLE F: RELATIONSHIP WITH THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
ARTICLE G: MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLE H: RIGHTS AND OBLIGATION
ARTICLE I: GENDER AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
ARTICLE J: ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURES OF THE YOUTH LEAGUE
Section 1: The National Congress
Section 2: Extra-Ordinary Congress
Section 3: National General Council
Section 4: National Executive Committee
Section 5: National Working Committee
Section 6: Provincial Congress
Section 7: Provincial Executive Committee
Section 8: Provincial Working Committee
Section 9: Provincial General Council
Section 10: Regions Congress
Section 11: Regions General Council
Section 12: Regions Executive Committee
Section 13: Regions Working Committee
Section 14: Zonal and Zonal Structures
Section 15: Branches
Section 16: Branch Congress
Section 17: Branch Executive Committee
Section 18: Branch General Meeting
ARTICLE K: DISCIPLINE
ARTICLE L: RULES AND REGULATIONS
ARTICLE M: FINANCE POLICY
ARTICLE N: QUORUM
ARTICLE O: AMENDMENTS
ARTICLE P: DISSOLUTION

SCHEDULE A

A. INTRODUCTION CLASSIFICATION OF OFFENSES
1. Definition
2. Guiding Principles

SCHEDULE B

RULES OF DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE
Introduction
Objective of Rules of Disciplinary Procedure Starting Disciplinary Procedure
Holding Disciplinary Procedure Adjudication
Appeal
Appeal Procedure

ARTICLE A: PREAMBLE

The African National Congress Youth League was founded in 1944 as an organisation of the youth committed to the ideals of democracy, freedom, and peace. It is governed by and adheres to the policies and programmes of the ANC, and its existence derives from the constitution of the ANC. The Youth League is a mass youth formation of the ANC; it is committed to the creation of a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous South Africa.

The ANCYL aims to rally all the youth of our country to play an active part in the struggle of the communities by building a defence of democracy. In doing so, the ANC Youth League strives to achieve fundamental social change for the benefit of all young people and the working class. It endeavours to unite the youth of our country to take their rightful place in the affairs of the country. The ANC Youth League has over the years organised young people to play a critical role in the struggle for liberation, culminating in the democratic breakthrough of 1994 which opened opportunities for the liberation movement to advance the National Democratic Revolution. The Freedom Charter remains the guiding programme of the ANC Youth League.

ARTICLE B: NAME

The African National Congress Youth League; hereinafter referred to as the ANCYL.

ARTICLE C: COLOURS AND SYMBOLS

The colours of the ANCYL are of the ANC, which are Black, Green, and Gold.
The emblem of the ANCYL consists of three hands, each holding a spear, a hammer, and a book. In the same sequence, these will be in red, signifying the blood of our young martyrs spilt over years of resistance to oppression, against a gold background. The emblem is round in shape and be ringed with the green and black colours on the outer edge.
The name of the organisation must be printed in a black and green strip.

ARTICLE D: AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

THE ANCYL must:

Strive to rally the youth of our country to support and promote unity and patriotism among the youth;
Promote the creation of a broad, non-aligned pioneer movement and fight for the rights of children as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa;
Strive and work for the educational, moral and cultural upliftment of the youth;
Promote gender equality in all spheres of life, especially amongst the youth;
Promote among youth a spirit of international solidarity, peace, and friendship with other nations:
To champion the cause of the African Renaissance.

ARTICLE E: STATUS

The ANCYL is a legal persona with a perpetual succession of power, apart from its individual members, to acquire, hold and alienate property, enter into agreements, do all things necessary to carry out its aims and objects, and defend its members, property, and reputation.
The organisational control and programmes of the ANCYL rests in the ANCYL membership and structures, in accordance with its Constitution.
The ANCYL operates on a national, provincial, Regions, zonal,sub-regional and branch level. Other structures can be created for co ordination and implementation purposes and will enjoy delegated powers.
The ANC Youth League functions as an autonomous body within the overall structure of the ANC of which it be an integral part, with its own Constitution, Rules, and Regulations, provided that these not be in conflict with the Constitution and policies of the ANC.

ARTICLE F: RELATIONSHIP WITH THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

The ANCYL is a voluntary youth organisation and a mass organ of the ANC.
The ANCYL functions as an autonomous bodywithin the overall structure of the ANC of which it is an integral part. It is based on the political and ideological objectives of the ANC.
The ANCYL must liaise closely with the ANC at all levels (National, Provincial, Regions, Zonal and branch levels) and fully particpate in the general political life of the ANC.
Members of the ANCYL over the age of eighteen (18) are obliged to join and participate fully in the general political life of the ANC. Members of the ANCYL over the age of eighteen (18) that do not comply with the provisions of article F4 ceases to be a member of the ANCYL.
A member of the Youth League is not eligible for any position of the ANC or attend ANC conferences unless he/she is the full member of the ANC in good standing .

ARTICLE G: MEMBERSHIP

Membership of the ANCYL is open to all South African youth between the ages of fourteen (14) and thirty-five (35) who accept its policy guidelines, aims, and objectives as referred to above.
The applications for membership must be received and considered by the ANCYL Branch Executive Committee, where such exist, or by the Regions Executive Committee if no Branch Executive Committee exists. The Branch Executive Committee and Regions Executive Committee have the power to accept or reject an application for membership. In the event of a rejection, the applicant must be informed in writing and must be made aware of their right to appeal to the Provincial Executive Committee within twenty-one (21) working days. The appeal should be in writing. The Provincial Executive Committee must finalise the appeal within sixty (60) working days.
Young people who qualify for membership in accordance with the rules of this section will be issued with a membership card upon payment of a joining fee. Members must pay annual subscription fees. The national congress or the NEC must determine the joining fee and annual subscription fees.
Members can join the ANCYL only once.
Membership lapses when a person turns 35 years old, is expelled following disciplinary proceedings, loses his or her South African citizenship, resigns from the Youth League in writing to the organisation, passes away, and/or if after an annual membership audit or review, it is found that such a member has not paid their annual subscriptions for up to three (3) months.
All members must, on acceptance into the ranks of the ANCYL, solemnly declare their readiness and willingness to serve the organisation and declare as follows: “I, ________________, solemnly declare that I will abide by the aims and objectives of the ANC Youth League as set out in the Constitution, the Freedom Charter, and all other policies adopted from time to time, that I am joining the organisation voluntarily, without expectation of material gain, and will participate in the life of the organisation as a loyal, active, and disciplined member.”
Dual or multiple memberships by individuals are welcome provided the policies and programmes of those organisations to which they belong or may wish to belong are not hostile or contrary to those of the ANCYL.
Young women who are members of the ANCYL and over the age of eighteen (18) years are obliged to join and play a full and active part in the general political life of the ANC Women’s League.

ARTICLE H: RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS

Rights

Every member of the ANCYL has a right to:
Take part in the transformation and discussions of ANCYL policy.
Be elected to any committee, commission, or delegation of the Youth League. For an ANCYL member to qualify to stand for a position in the NEC, PEC, REC, Zonal Committee, or BEC, the member should have been an active member of the ANCYL in good standing for at least three years for the NEC and PEC, two years for the REC, and one year for the Zonal Committee and the BEC.
Any member, upon his/her election to the REC, PEC, and NEC, relinquishes their position in lower constitutional structures.
Submit proposals or advise the branch, the region, and/or province on any matter that affects youth and society in general.
Engage in constructive criticism and self-criticism within the constitutional structures and parameters of the League.
Protection against any harassment, victimization, and/or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, or creed.
Actively participate in ANCYL activities.

Obligations

All ANCYL members are obliged to:
Pledge their unwavering loyalty to the ANCYL and subject themselves to its overall discipline.
Carry out decisions, duties, and directives with diligence from its Branch, Regions, Provincial, and National structures.
Organize, participate, and contribute positively to activities of the organization and contribute to the strengthening of its organic unity.
Rally all youth to support and unite behind the ANCYL and actively participate in the creation of a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous South Africa.
Protect the ANCYL and its property at all times by exercising maximum vigilance.
Exercise discipline and exemplary behavior at all times by maintaining harmonious relations with all members of the ANCYL and the community in general.
Combat all forms of tribalism, regionalism, nepotism, and other forms of discrimination based on race and sex as well as combating factionalism and malicious gossip within our ranks.
Initiate and participate in activities aimed at promoting international solidarity, peace, and social justice

ARTICLE I: GENDER AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

To reach the objective of full representation of women in all decision-making structures, the ANCYL must implement a programme of affirmative action, including the provision of a quota of not less than fifty percent (50%) in all its structures to enable the effective participation of women.
The method of such an implementation will be addressed immediately in all ANCYL structures and on a continuing basis.
Representation or delegation to ANCYL activities must be based on the fifty / fifty (50/50) principle

ARTICLE J: ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURES OF THE YOUTH LEAGUE

The organisational structure of the ANCYL consists of:

National Congress
Extraordinary Congress
National General Council
National Executive Committee (NEC)
National Working Committee (NWC)
Provincial Congress
Provincial General Council
Provincial Executive Committee (PEC)
Provincial Working Committee (PWC)
Regions Congress
Regions General Council
Regional Executive Committee (REC)
Regional Working Committee (RWC)
Zonal and Zonal Structures
Branches
Branch Congress
Branch Executive Committee (BEC)
Branch General Meeting

Section 1: The National Congress

The National Congress is the highest decision making body of ANCYL. The National Congress must convene after every three years.

Composition

(a) Delegates must be democratically elected from branches in good standing, in proportion to their membership.
(b) Branch delegates must constitute at least 90% of all voting delegates at Congress.
(c) The NEC may consider special representation for areas where ANCYL structures are not fully developed.
(d) Members of the NEC and PECs attend as ex-officio participants in the Congress, with full speaking and voting rights.
(e) A quorum at the National Congress is constituted by two-thirds (2/3) of delegates.
(f) All delegates to the National Congress must be members in good standing.

Procedures at Congress

(a) The Congress determines procedure in accordance with democratic conventions.
(b) Decisions at Congress are made on the basis of fifty percent (50%) plus a one majority in favour or against, subject to the provisions of Section N of the Constitution
(c) Election of office bearers must be by secret ballot.

Duties and Powers of National Congress

The National Congress shall:
(a) Lay down the platform, determine and decide programmes and the Constitution of the ANCYL;
(b) Receive and consider reports of the NEC, presented by the President, the Secretary General, and the Treasurer General;
(c) Have the right to review, ratify, amend, or rescind any decision and/or recommendation taken by any of the constituent structures and/or officials of the ANCYL;
(d) Elect the President, the Deputy President, the Secretary General, the Deputy Secretary General, the 2nd Deputy Secretary General, the Treasurer-General, and forty (40) other members of the NEC;
(e) Have the power to elect or appoint any commission or committee and assign specific tasks and duties to such commission, committee, or individual(s), as the case may be;
(f) Have the power to confer honors, decorations, and awards on members, organisations, or individuals in appreciation or recognition of their role in the work of the ANCYL or the struggle for the birth and the creation of a united, non-racial, non-sexist, prosperous, and democratic South Africa.

Section 2: The Extraordinary Congress

a) An Extraordinary Congress may be convened at any time to address major policy issues.
(b) It may be convened by the NEC or at the insistence of a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the provinces of the ANCYL.

Section 3: The National General Council

(a) A National General Council may be convened by the NEC from time to time, provided that the NEC must convene the National General Council not later than eighteen (18) months after the National Congress.

(b) The National General Council must:

(d) Receive and discuss reports of the NEC.

(e) Have the power to discuss any issues it deems necessary considering policies & directives of the National Congress.

(f) Subject to clause 13.2.1 (e), the National General Council may fill vacancies that have arisen in the NEC, provided that such vacancies do not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the NEC