YOUTH TO THE FRONT: RESCUE THE NDR. ADVANCE TOWARDS PEOPLE'S POWER!
YOUNG COMMUNIST LEAGUE OF SOUTH AFRICA (UFASIMBA)
7th National Congress
RULES AND PROCEDURES
For the Conduct of the 7th National Congress
10-12 July 2026 | Rustenburg Kloof, North West
Theme: "Youth to the Front: Rescue the NDR. Advance Towards People's Power!"
Ref: YCLSA/NS/7NC/RULES-001
v1.0 | 9 July 2026 | FOR ADOPTION AT THE OPENING PLENARY
1. ADOPTION OF RULES AND PROCEDURES
The following rules and procedures are submitted to the 7th National Congress for consideration and adoption. Once adopted, the rules and procedures will govern the proceedings of the Congress and are binding on all Congress delegates and guests.
These rules are adopted in the spirit of democratic centralism — combining freedom of discussion with unity of action. They are designed to ensure that Congress proceeds in an orderly, disciplined, and comradely manner, befitting the dignity of a communist youth formation.
2. NATIONAL CONGRESS
The National Congress is the highest decision-making organ of the YCLSA.
Congress shall decide and approve all Congress committees and the Congress agenda.
The Congress shall, in its plenary sessions, adopt resolutions and documents in the manner prescribed by the YCLSA Constitution, unless otherwise agreed by simple majority in a plenary session.
3. STEERING COMMITTEE
The Congress shall be run by a National Steering Committee, which shall be endorsed by a plenary session of the Congress.
3.1. Composition
The Steering Committee shall be constituted as follows:
National Office Bearers.
Provincial Secretaries.
Up to 2 additional members of the National Committee.
3.2. Duties and Powers
In conformity with the duty and mandate of the Congress and the rights of Congress delegates, the duties and powers of the Steering Committee are:
Direct the work of the Congress in conformity with the decisions of delegates.
Ensure the smooth and effective running of Congress proceedings.
Authorise and approve all documents, resolutions, amendments and other documents distributed at Congress.
Appoint from Congress delegates sub-committees and other structures as may be necessary to facilitate Congress proceedings, and delegate relevant powers and tasks to such sub-committees and structures.
Monitor the work of Congress sessions.
In conjunction with the Dispute Resolution Committee, seek to resolve issues that the Congress fails to resolve and end all deadlocks.
Scrutinise and approve the credentials of all participants at the Congress, and shall appoint a Credentials Committee for this purpose.
4. ATTENDANCE AND CREDENTIALS
4.1. Voting Delegates
The Voting Delegates to the Congress are:
| Category | Number | Basis |
|---|
| National Committee | 30 | NC member delegate status |
| Provincial Committees / PILCs | 45 | 5 per province (9 provinces) |
| District Committees / DILCs | 126 | 3 per district (42 districts) |
| Branch delegates | 249 | Proportional allocation by Largest Remainder Method (§7.1(c)) |
| TOTAL VOTING DELEGATES | 450 | |
Note: Branch delegates (249) are allocated proportionally to each province's membership in good standing using the Largest Remainder Method, with the provincial and district floors applied as set out in the Credentials Report (Ref: YCLSA/AUDIT/7NC/CRED-001). The detailed provincial and district breakdown is provided in that report.
4.2. Guests
Guests invited to the Congress are delegates from:
Progressive Youth Alliance structures (ANCYL, SASCO, COSAS, SUCA, COSATU Young Workers).
Alliance structures (SACP, COSATU, ANC).
Mass Democratic Movement formations.
International Formations (WFDY and fraternal communist youth organisations).
Former National Office Bearers of the YCLSA.
Special Guests (Ministers, academics, and other invited dignitaries).
Media has also been invited to selected sessions of the Congress.
4.3. Credentials Report
During the plenary session of Congress, the Steering Committee will present a credentials report for consideration and adoption by Congress to determine whether the Congress is constituted and quorate in terms of the Constitution of the YCLSA.
5. IDENTIFICATION TAGS
All those present at the Congress shall be presented with identification tags that show designation.
All those present during any session of the Congress shall be required to display their identification tags visibly at all times.
Even those in the category of day-passes will be expected to produce tags.
6. SESSIONS OF CONGRESS AND SPEAKING RIGHTS
The Congress shall have sessions in plenary.
6.1. Plenary Sessions
Voting Delegates, guests from allies, the MDM, public institutions and the private sector will have the right to speak. If necessary, the Steering Committee may limit such speaking rights.
Each speaker at plenary has a maximum of 4 minutes speaking time.
If necessitated by the content of proceedings, the media will be asked to leave the plenary session.
All delegates must raise the speaking placard for noting and recognition.
6.2. Open and Closed Sessions
Closed sessions: The Financial Report, Organisational Report and their discussions are open to Voting Delegates, PYA, Alliance and former NOBs only, and are closed to all other guests and media.
Open sessions: All other plenary sessions are open to special guests and guests from allies, the MDM, civil society, public institutions and the public sector.
6.3. Speaking Rules
Each delegate will be allowed to speak only once during the plenary session on each topic.
The right to speak of voting delegates shall take precedence over the right of other participants.
Participants may express themselves in the language of their choice.
7. DELEGATE RESPONSIBILITIES
All delegates should take their seats prior to the time appointed for commencement of proceedings.
Participants should make their contributions in accordance with the agenda in the manner prescribed by these rules and procedures.
All interventions and motions shall be addressed to the Chairperson of the session.
If a motion or point of intervention is raised to the Chairperson of the session, they shall appoint another person to entertain such a motion.
Participants should be prepared to consider other views contrary to their own and assist the Chairperson in ensuring freedom of expression.
All Congress Delegates shall observe and uphold order during the proceedings of Congress.
7.1. Prohibited Interventions
The following interventions are not allowed:
| Prohibited | Reason |
|---|
| Heckling | Disrupts the speaker and the order of proceedings |
| Howling | Undermines comradely debate |
| Shouting | Prevents other delegates from being heard |
| Jeering | Disrespects fellow delegates |
| Hissing | Disrupts orderly proceedings |
| Other similar interventions | Any conduct that disrupts Congress |
7.2. Permitted Points of Procedure
Only the following points of procedure will be allowed:
| Point | When to Use |
|---|
| Point of Order | Only when a delegate raises an incorrect procedure, unacceptable language, or transgression of the rules of Congress. |
| Point of Clarity | Only when a delegate seeks to understand an issue at hand. |
| Point of Information | Only when a delegate wishes to provide information in relation to the subject matter raised. |
| Point of Exigency | Only when there is something extraordinary which, if not attended to, can harm or affect the Congress proceedings. |
7.3. Congress Conduct Rules
There shall be no smoking allowed in any Congress proceedings.
There shall be no alcohol or intoxicated people allowed.
All cell-phones must be switched off or put on silence during Congress proceedings.
No firearms will be allowed in any Congress proceedings unless carried by authorised security personnel and VIP protection.
All Congress participants are required to be punctual and observe all time stipulations.
All Congress voting delegates are required to be at the Congress session during all times as indicated in the agenda.
No document may be circulated at the Congress without the prior approval of the Steering Committee.
8. ROLE OF THE CHAIRPERSON
In applying the rules of procedure, the Chairperson shall:
Call on speakers in accordance with the procedures set out in these rules.
Call participants to order when rules are transgressed.
Withdraw the right to speak where there has been an infringement of rules and procedures.
Ensure that speakers adhere to the stipulated time (4 minutes maximum).
Questions in dispute not provided for in these rules and procedures shall be settled by the Congress upon proposal by the Chairperson. The Chairperson shall be guided by the rules of procedure in common usage.
The Chairperson must vacate the chair if they wish to propose a motion.
A neutral person shall rule on a point of order called to the Chairperson of the session.
9. DRAFTING AND RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE
The Drafting and Resolutions Committee (DRC) shall be appointed by the Steering Committee.
9.1. Composition
Not more than 6 members drawn from the National Committee.
9 members from provinces (one per province).
Appointed scribes to assist with recording.
9.2. Functions
Draft and consolidate resolutions arising from commissions and plenary discussions.
Ensure resolutions follow the standard format (Congress notes / believes / resolves).
Prepare the Congress Declaration for adoption.
The committee may appoint sub-committees and/or call on participants with special experience for assistance.
10. VOTING RIGHTS
The Congress shall attempt to reach decisions by consensus after sufficient discussion of any matter tabled before the Congress. If there is the need for a vote:
Only Voting Delegates will have the right to vote.
All voting will be done by a show of Congress Identification Tags (instead of hands).
Decisions are taken by simple majority unless the Constitution requires otherwise (e.g. constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority per §14).
11. RECORD OF THE CONGRESS
The Steering Committee shall be responsible for providing a proper record of the proceedings of the Congress.
All Congress recordings and documents shall be submitted to the custody of the National Committee and deposited for safekeeping in the YCLSA Archives.
Forward to the 7th National Congress!
Youth to the Front: Rescue the NDR, Advance Towards People’s Power!
Socialism is our lifetime!
Amandla!
Ref: YCLSA/NS/7NC/RULES-001 | v1.0 | 9 July 2026
