Ex-ANC Member Trevor Manuel: SA Needs Younger Ministers and Members of Parliament

• Former ANC member Trevor Manuel has called out older members of parliament for hogging power
• He pointed out that a lot of the problems in the country are caused by not allowing young people to be in positions of power
• Wits professor of politics Professor Daryl Glaser told Briefly News that those who are getting weaker mentally should not be given too much power
• Netizens slammed him for his statements and accused him of having double standards

Former finance minister Trevor Manuel believes South Africa needs younger ministers and members of parliament. He also said that older members of parliament should step aside and let the youth lead. South Africans accused him of hypocrisy for not raising this issue while still in power.

Manuel recently spoke in an interview. He said some of the issues concerning service delivery and governance can be traced to the fact that there are a few young people in leadership positions. He also believes the country’s political landscape and leadership should reflect South Africa accurately.

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According to StatsSA, 63% of the country’s population is young, meaning there are more young than old.

According to TimesLIVE, Manuel thinks that the fact that there are 17 cabinet members between the ages of 65 and 74 is part of the problem.

His comments come after newly-elected ANCYL president Collen Malatji called for older members of the ANC to step down and let younger members take the helm. His statements caused a clash between him and Mantashe, who took him to task for his demands.

Wits professor shares views with Briefly News

Wits Professor Daryl Glaser from the Department of Political Studies told Briefly News that it's a good idea to have all generations represented in policy areas where generations are competing over resources or the shape of the future that youth will inherit.

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"It would also be wise, to put it mildly, not to have someone with declining mental powers in a position where they command a great deal of power or have a finger on the nuclear button. Nut that, too, has never been a specifically SA problem, given that we don't have a presidential system (or a nuclear bomb). As a general observation (and as someone old enough to have been of various ages), I would suggest that each generation has its typical attendant virtues and failings," he said.

South Africans slam Manuel

Netizens on X (formerly Twitter), commenting on a tweet, criticized Manuel for his comments.

M-Jay said:

“He must also take his advice and give up his chairmanship at Old Mutual. Old people refusing to leave the stage is not just a public service problem. It’s a private sector problem too.”

Maxwell Mncube remarked:

“He only says this because he’s no longer in the game of millions. He had a chance to say this, and he didn’t.”

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Deeren added:

“It’s amazing that when these people were active in the ANC, they said nothing, but once they’re out, they have every opinion to say what’s wrong with the government after billions are spent on them and their lavish lifestyles.”

S3chaba asked:

“How old was he when he was an MP and Minister?”

Gifappeltjie suggested:

“We must get rid of all the ministers. It’s not as if they even do anything except get a ridiculously large salary every month.”

Members of Parliament slam Operation Dudula

In a similar story, Briefly News reported that members of parliament slammed Operation Dudula.

Members of the African Christian Democratic Party and the Inkatha Freedom Party criticised the movement and said that citizens should not take the law into their own hands.

Member of the Democratic Alliance pointed their fingers at the ANC and the Department of Affairs for violating foreign nationals’ rights by not doing their jobs correctly.

Source: Briefly News