The National Executive Committee of the ANC met in a special session on the 3rd of November 2018, to consider recommendations from its six Officials, on measures that will enable the ANC to unite, renew and restore its integrity and to focus on its historical mission.
This founding mission remains, working together with all South Africans to build a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa. Indeed a better life for all.
“We are engaging around the issues of unity and renewal, rebuilding the structures, and consolidating the ANC to an overwhelming victory next year. We have called it an extended National Executive Committee meeting because we have also invited Office Bearers from the nine ANC provincial structures and the Leagues” ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule
The National Executive Committee once again acknowledged that the country, and the ANC, are emerging from a very difficult period in our history, and that the movement must continue to take bold steps to rebuild and retain its position as leader of society. It therefore discussed and resolved on the following matters:
a) Our focus on the Mission of the ANC
The National Executive Committee reminded itself of the importance of its mission in the current phase, to get back on the road of economic recovery and transformation.
In this regard, the NEC referred to the economic recovery plan announced in the Minister of Finance’s Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, the Jobs Summit, and most recently the Investment Summit which raised in excess of 20 billion USD of foreign direct and other investments. It further noted the process underway to encourage and ascertain from local companies and business their capital expenditure and investment plans, so that we also lift rates of investments by domestic firms.
The NEC will soon discuss with its Alliance partners, urgent and sustainable steps to address the problems with state owned enterprises, as strategic assets in the economy. It was reiterated that there is no intention to shut down South African Airways. The focus now is on decisively tackling the challenges besetting the national carrier.
The NEC affirmed its determination, through its deployees in government and supported by ANC structures, to act swiftly on its resolutions on land and agricultural reforms, dealing with the problems of water and sanitation, service delivery and people’s participation in local government; youth unemployment, and other issues critical to bettering the lives of South Africans, especially the poor.
The National Executive Committee takes note of concerns by national groups, particularly Coloured and Indian communities, about feelings of marginalization and exclusion.
Since the early days of the Congress Alliance between the ANC, the Coloured Peoples Organisation and the South African Indian Congresses, and the pledge in the Freedom Charter that South Africa belongs to All and that All national groups shall have equal rights, our commitment to non-racialism has been the bedrock of the ANC. We acknowledge that this principle has been, to a certain extent, deviated from over the last period, and the ANC recommitted itself to in deed and action, starting within its own ranks, to ensure that it remains a truly non-racial movement.
b) On Gender-based Violence and building a non-sexist society
The NEC welcomed the very successful Presidential Summit on Gender-based Violence held from 1-2 November 2018, and the declaration of the summit which gives pointers on what society and government can do to tackle this scourge and blight on our democracy.
The Summit gave government six months to develop a national plan of action on GBV, and the ANC commits to ensure that this is done.
The NEC furthermore acknowledged that the ANC itself has been remiss in pushing forward the non-sexist agenda within its ranks, and recommitted itself to leading by example, including playing its role as we once again commit to action during the 16 days of activism from 25 November to 10 December.
c) On Building Unity and Cohesion in the ANC
To instill cohesion and unity in the movement, the NEC adopted the following modus of operandi:
(a) As a measure to dismantle and stamp out factionalism, no Officials or member of the National Executive Committee, Provincial and Regional Executive Committees or general members of the ANC may participate in any meetings aligned to any pre or post NASREC factions. No meeting about the ANC or its operations may be held, without knowledge and reports to the structures of the movement.
(b) Rebuild operational trust through greater transparency and accountability, including obligatory reports on meetings held, with anyone, including lobbies by business or any other individual or groups seeking to influence policies or processes, in the ANC or in government.
(c) Build an atmosphere of respect, of raising matters in organisational forums, engaging each other directly, without fear or favour; and
(d) Noting the impact of social media, reiterated the importance of enforcing the ANC Communications Protocol as affirmed by the 54th National Conference.
The ANC Officials at National and Provincial level will take a lead in the above, through the power of their own example and by engaging with structures. The Officials last weekend met with structures in Gauteng and will meet with the Provincial Executive Committee again; from today the 4th and 5th of November – National Officials together with the National Working Committee are in the Free State province and to be followed by the Eastern Cape and other provinces.
These visits are aimed at energizing ANC structures through the Thuma Mina Programme to focus on working with communities through activities that improve their lives and solve the problems that confront them as well as reaching out to do voter registration, ahead of the final IEC voter registration on 26-27 January next year.
d) On tackling Corruption and Restoring Integrity
Mindful of the firm instructions from 54th National Conference on this, the NEC noted that the national and provincial Integrity Commissions have started their work.
The NEC affirms its dismay with the impact of the VBS issues on the lives of ordinary people across the country, but especially in Limpopo and Vhembe, and restated its position that those found guilty of wrong doing must face the wrath of the law. The NEC acknowledged the work of the National Integrity Commission on ANC members implicated in the VBS matter, and referred the report of the Commission to the National Working Committee for completeness and finality.
The Officials will further engage the PEC of the E Cape around the organisational challenges in the Nelson Mandela Metro.
The NEC reaffirmed its support for the Zondo Commission on State Capture, to uncover the truth and prevent this blight on our history from happening again. The ANC is cooperating with the Commission, it has encouraged its members to work with the Commission.
The ANC is making its first submission on the meeting with banks and will continue to cooperate with the Commission on these and other issues.
e) On the Alliance
The tripartite Alliance between the ANC, the SACP and COSATU has deep historical roots, founded in the common struggle against apartheid colonialism and for the building of a National Democratic Society.
The NEC noted that since 54th National Conference, our coordination mechanism with the Alliance + SANCO has functioned well, with regular meetings of the Alliance secretariat and of the Political Council.
In preparations for an Alliance Summit before the end of this year, the ANC is discussing the future: including the minimum common programme that unites the Alliance and the role of each partner in the Alliance.
f) On International matters
The NEC notes the number of significant continental and global developments, and will at its next meeting discuss this; the implications for global peace, social justice and development, and for South Africa.
As part of the Chairpersonship of BRICS, the ANC will from 4-5 December 2018 hosts the BRICS Dialogue of Political parties.
South Africa will also host global leaders and citizens through various events in the coming few weeks, most particularly:
? The inaugural African Investment Forum of the African Development Bank will be hosted from 7-9 November in Johannesburg. The forum, in the context of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, will offer “a platform for sourcing funding for bankable African projects, brokering infrastructure deals and providing innovative financial solutions. The event will attract key global companies, financial players, and public officials who will address the continent’s critical infrastructure investment gaps.”
? The Global Citizen festival on 2 December 2018, in honour of the centenary of Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu, and mobilizing citizens behind the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to end extreme poverty by 2030.
? A Mandela Centenary Conference in Cape Town in December, following the first conference held on Madiba’s birthday in July 2018.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will also attend the Special Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union on the issue of the AU Reforms, that will be held from 16-17 November 2018, at the AU Headquarters, Addis Ababa.
Conclusion
“Across the length and breadth of the country, as we engage with communities around their concrete issues, they are appreciating the efforts we are making to renew and to restore confidence in our movement. We thank the people, and pledge to do more.” ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa
Issued by the African National Congress
Ace Magashule
Secretary General
Enquiries
Pule Mabe
National Spokesperson
0716234975
