The ANC has moved to downplay an attack on its national chairperson Gwede Mantashe by its own Youth League president, after Mantashe dramatically walked out of COSATU’s 15th National Congress in a row over speaking order.
The incident at Emperors Palace on Monday has laid bare the deep fractures inside the Tripartite Alliance just three weeks before local government elections on November 4.
Mantashe, who was leading the ANC delegation to the federation’s reconvened congress in Kempton Park, took offence at being told he must speak first, followed by the South African Communist Party and then SANCO. He insisted that tradition dictates the ANC, as leader of the Alliance, speaks last.
Mantashe then stormed out of the plenary, insisting he would not speak unless he was allowed to speak last.
In a sharp rebuke that embarrassed Luthuli House, ANCYL President Collen Malatji publicly condemned Mantashe’s actions as disrespectful to the Alliance and arrogant.
“The ANC must always present itself as a humble organisation,” Malatji said in a video posted on social media.
“We cant decide for Cosatu on who must speak first, when and what time.”
“The incident that happened at the Cosatu conference is unfortunate. But we will have a session with the national chair to understand what fully formed. I have not fully spoken to him about the matter but how it was presented its presenting us as an arrogant organisation. We want to apologise to Cosatu and its affiliates for the incident,” Malatji said.
Malatji’s intervention follows a previous clash in January 2026, where he slammed Mantashe for calling unemployed youth “lazy,” labelling his remarks as out-of-touch and irresponsible.
Speaking to Africa Daily on Wednesday ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu moved to contain the fallout and distance the mother body from Malatji’s apology and condemnation.
“The ANC remains committed to strengthening unity with the Alliance, while prioritising the urgent task at hand of addressing pressing matters; youth unemployment and expanding economic opportunities for young people,” Bhengu said.
“The ANC values the role of the ANCYL in advancing the interests and aspirations of young people and recognises that their concerns must remain central to our collective efforts to build a better South Africa.”
“As we approach the local government elections, our focus remains on responsive leadership, improved service delivery and meaningful opportunities for young people to participate in the economy. The ANC will continue to engage with its structures and Alliance partners to advance these shared priorities in the interests of our people,” she said.
Despite being pressed on the matter, Bhengu made no mention of Mantashe’s walkout and did not endorse Malatji’s criticism.