Mbalula Warns Against the US Isolation of South Africa from Africa

African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has warned against allowing the United States, under President Donald Trump, to isolate South Africa from the rest of the African continent, calling instead for collective resistance and stronger intra-African cooperation, according to News24.

Addressing delegates on the final day of the 27th ANC Youth League (ANCYL) national congress at the University of Limpopo, Mbalula urged African countries to stand with South Africa rather than leaving it to confront geopolitical pressure alone.

“South Africa must not fight alone. It must fight with the rest of the African continent. It must never accept to be isolated from the rest of the African continent,” Mbalula said.

He added:

“We must not allow Donald Trump to isolate us from the African continent. We must fight as the African continent for our own African Renaissance.”

Mbalula emphasised that the African Renaissance remains a central political task, particularly for young leaders, and said it is inseparable from the expansion of intra-African trade. He called on African states to strengthen economic ties among themselves and reduce dependence on external powers.

“African countries must trade among themselves. Africa must stop being beggars of others,” he said. “If we are so powerful, we will not be a walkover [for] the United States.”

According to News24, Mbalula also praised the ANCYL for successfully organising a peaceful and self-managed congress without direct assistance from the ANC, despite scepticism about its ability to do so. He said the congress demonstrated the league’s organisational maturity.

He further commended the uncontested election of the youth league’s leadership, suggesting it offered lessons for the broader ANC as it works to overcome internal divisions.

“Comrades, we wish you well, and we're very happy about this congress. It was a peaceful congress, not characterised by pettiness or factionalism, as we walk the path of renewal,” Mbalula said.

“The path of renewal and ridding the ANC of factionalism and petty tendencies.”

Mbalula urged ANCYL members to remain loyal to the organisation rather than individuals, cautioning against corruption and self-interest.

“Protect your organisation from the parasites of corruption and self-interest. Your integrity is non-negotiable,” he said. “The youth league must never be an organisation of another leader or another member. It must be an organ of the African National Congress.”

He encouraged the youth league to speak out forcefully within the party, describing its role as one that challenges complacency and accelerates transformation.

“And that's what we expect from the youth. If we, in the ANC, move more slowly, you must make us move fast. That is your role as the youth,” he said, while warning against confusing militancy with recklessness.

“You must never fear speaking out, but always do so from a correct disposition. You're militants, not rascals; radicals, not rabble-rousers.”

Reflecting on generational differences within the ANC, Mbalula said younger members are less constrained by fear and should act decisively to safeguard the movement’s future.

“As we grow older, fear drives us; we think of our kids and spouses. But as young people, your focus is on the future. No one can stop you,” he said.

He concluded by aligning himself with ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa’s opening address to the congress, reiterating that the youth league is central to the party’s renewal and future electoral prospects.

“We are not in this congress to accept that the African National Congress is done and dusted. The ANC will come back, comrades,” Mbalula said.

“It will come back through its ANC Youth League, and comrade Malatji and his generation will carry that torch to the finishing line.”

Source: News24