The African National Congress(ANC) in the Eastern Cape convened an Ordinary Virtual Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting, Sunday 23 August to Monday, 24 August 2020.
The meeting received a Political Overview from the Provincial Chairperson, Cde Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, a detailed report on the State of the Organisation, By-Elections, Report on Covid-19 and the Demarcation Processes.
Political overview:
The ANC Provincial Chairperson, Comrade Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane presented a political overview which covered a detailed reflection on the integrity of both the ANC and the State.
He welcomed both the correspondence from Secretary General and President respectively on what is expected from all members and leaders of the ANC with respect to corruption and wrong-doing. The Provincial Chairperson stressed that our immediate task in the fight against corruption is to root out all corrupt elements within the public service, elected and employed. Private corrupt companies must have no door to knock on in the public service when wishing to engage in acts of corruption using public funds.
Our immediate task is informed by the fact that this is a people’s government and must serve the people’s interests and not the interests of corrupt individuals that wish to get rich overnight at the expense of our people and the development of our province. Dealing with corruption in the private sector is an equally important struggle we need to wedge, however rooting out corruption in the public service is our urgent and most pressing task. The Provincial Chairperson reiterated that corruption remains one of the most dangerous threats and impediments to our development. With the levels of corruption that are reported, we will never be able to build this province into one that is enterprising and connected and where its people reach their full potential. We therefore need to work together to defeat this scourge that is an anti-thesis of our national democratic revolution.
State of the Organisation:
The PEC received a report on the state of the organisation which made honest and frank reflections on the organisation. The report also reflected on the state of the ANC Leagues, the Alliance as well as MDM formations in the province.
The PEC considered the report that the term of office for the Regional Executive Committees of the Amathole and Alfred Nzo regions had lapsed. In this regard, the PEC resolved to formerly dissolve both structures.
In light of the above, the PEC then appointed all members of the RECs whose term of office had lapsed into the Regional Task Teams of both regions. It further appointed the former Regional Chairpersons and Secretaries of the two RECs whose term had lapsed as Conveners and Coordinators respectively.
On the RTT’s of Joe Gqabi, Nelson Mandela and OR Tambo Region – they will continue their political responsibility but that will be augmented by a report of their performance.
The meeting resolved that all structures of the ANC must be at the forefront in the battle against Covid-19 and provide leadership in dealing with the social impact of the pandemic.
On the revival of the ANC Youth League, the PEC resolved to engage the ANC National Executive Committee for the establishment of a Provincial Task Team to start the process of rebuilding the preparatory school of our movement and in order to ensure that the league plays its role both in the organisation and more importantly in society.
Revolutionary Morality:
The meeting focused extensively on a discussion and reflected in greater detail on the question of revolutionary morality, ethics and leadership integrity. The PEC reaffirmed the centrality of the quality of leadership and commitment to the time-tested values of the ANC as the leader of the National Democratic Revolution.
In any revolution, the leadership must endeavour to be and be seen to be beyond reproach in their public and private lives and therefore determine the standard for society to follow. It is a matter of grave concern that the period since 1994, following our ascendency to the state echelons, has unfortunately exposed the movement and its leadership to conditions that are alien, but also completely at variance with its revolutionary tried and tested traditions.
In this regard, the Provincial Executive Committee called on each and every member of the ANC to remain steadfast to the historic mission of our movement and never be tempted to surrender to the setbacks of the moment. As members of the ANC, we must always activate our desire and commitment to be loyal to the value system of our movement and undertake our historic mandate to build a better life for all our people, and do so with sincerity and honesty.
The discussion on revolutionary morality, ethics and leadership integrity re-activated our determination to remain bold and courageous about the righteousness of our cause to build a National Democratic Society.
Therefore, the PEC resolved that all PEC and REC members must be subjected to lifestyle audits. This must also apply to all serving public representatives such as MP’s, MPLs and Councillors. This decision is in line with the political directives from both Secretary General, Cde Ace Magashule and President Cyril Ramaphosa.
On the Alliance:
The PEC directed the Provincial Working Committee to engage the Alliance leadership and NEHAWU in particular on the labour matters. The ANC PEC is of the firm view that the ANC Alliance remains the only hope and vehicle at the disposal of our people in their quest for total emancipation.
By Elections:
The PEC commended the work being done by ANC structures in Alfred Nzo, Joe Gqabi, OR Tambo, Amathole, Chris Hani, Dr WB Rubusana and Sarah Baartman Regions in preparing the coming by-elections.
The PEC is encouraged with the seriousness with which the entire structures of our movement is approaching these elections, in particular the work undertaken by the Provincial Elections Team. The by-elections are as a result of passing away of some of our Councillors during this period of COVID-19.
These by-elections are important to consolidate the support to assert the presence of the ANC in various municipalities, but also serves as an opportunity for the movement to consolidate its presence among our communities.
Report on Covid-19:
The meeting received a presentation on the Implementation of Covid19 Interventions in the Province. The Province continues to have a significant improvement in the recoveries now at 94.6% (87.1) as on the 1st August 2020. The number of active cases has significantly reduced to 1800 which translates to 26.8 per 100 000 population (7 096 as at the 1st August 2020). This has resulted in the reduction of hospitalizations which stands at 487 patients (942 as at the 1st August 2020).
The decrease in demand has created scope for refocusing resource allocation to strengthen the health system. Ward Based Response Plan has been rolled out and to date 74 Ward Based Teams have been activated in the top 100 wards around the Province. The Covid-19 outbreak has had major effects on economic performance, social and health systems. According to the Q1 Economic Review :
(a)The economy was already in a bad shape before the Covid-19 outbreak
(b) The recession is expected to worsen as the global Covid-19 pandemic escalates.
(c) The SA economy remains in recession after GDP contracted by – 2.0 % Q1 2020.
(d)Here in the Eastern Cape, the following industries expanded on a QoQ basis: Agriculture with the largest increase (up by 27.1%),
finance (up by 3.0%), transport (up by 1.1%) and government services (up by 0.7%).
The Province has an approach to the economic recovery that is envisaged in moving from Economic Relief to Recovery. Therefore, a five-point plan for economic recovery has been drafted which will encompass infrastructure development, digital transformation, public finances, industrialization and equitable & inclusive transformation.
Meeting acknowledged the work done in particular the refurbishment of hospitals in the Province in the fight against Covid-19. This will leave a legacy of improved and better infrastructure. The meeting commended the commitment of the health care workers who are in the frontline in the fight against this pandemic.
Message of Condolences:
The PEC received painful news of the passing away of many councillors, political activists, struggle stalwarts and PEC member, Cde Zamuxolo Joseph Peter during this difficult time of COVID-19. We wish to convey our deepest and sincere condolences to the families, friends and relatives of the departed souls.
Ends..
ISSUED BY THE PROVINCIAL SECRETARY OF THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS, CDE LULAMA NGCUKAYITOBI
Enquiries:
Cde Loyiso Magqashela
ANC PEC Provincial Spokesperson
Mobile No :0762479845
Cde Gift Ngqondi
Provincial Head of Communications
Mobile No :0849519924 /0848439706
Email :Gift.Ngqondi@gmail.com
