“The youth movement has also not been spared the influence of corruption as privileges and resources have corrupted youth leaders and … and if these young people are growing into more senior positions influenced by that culture, what kind of leadership are we going to have in the future?” he said.
While the ANC grapples with the question of whether or not it can produce leaders who are able to resist corruption, he said state institutions should be strong and effective and hold to account those who do wrong.
He said for the ANC to move forward, a combination of ethical rectitude and principle was necessary to give it the renewal it “desperately needs”.
In a democratic society, if the ANC failed to address state capture and corruption, it would experience devastating electoral punishment, he said.
“Corruption and state capture have got a terrible impact on social transformation, even worse, they start to challenge the legitimacy of the democratic state,” he said.
Netshitenzhe was said capable and ethical leadership was not only possible but critical for the improvement of the quality of life of all South Africans.