Elders can inspire us – Madiba’s grandson

Lyse Comins

The youth should look to the older leaders, as represented by Nelson Mandela’s generation, for inspiration to become leaders, Madiba’s grandson said yesterday at an event outside Howick to honour the former president.

Declining to comment on the tensions between the ANC Youth League, led by Julius Malema, and the ANC, Inkosi Mandla Mandela said: “It is unworthy to talk to a youth that doesn’t grasp the understanding that thou shalt respect thy elders. The youth should look at older leaders and draw their leadership skills and understanding from them.”

Inkosi Mandla Mandela was representing his grandfather at the launch of the R100 million Nelson Mandela Capture Site Museum on the R103 near Howick.

He was asked at the event for his views on the tensions that have led to the ANC’s top six leaders calling the ANCYL to a meeting on Monday. This is to discuss the league undermining ANC leaders and stepping out of line by suggesting it would help the opposition in Botswana overthrow the elected government there.

“I am not going to say much about that,” he said, because I come from a very disciplined and well mannered family.”

Meanwhile Mandela said not enough was being done to fight corruption and that to “preserve the Mandela legacy” more “aggressive” action should be taken against corruption.