STATEMENT OF THE ANC GAUTENG PROVINCE FOLLOWING THE SPECIAL PEC MEETING HELD ON 26 OCTOBER 2015 

27 October 2015

The African National Congress Gauteng Province held a Special Provincial Executive Committee  (PEC) meeting yesterday (Monday) 26 October 2015. The meeting conducted an assessment of the 4th ANC National General Council, consider the candidate selection programme for the 2016 Local Government Elections and to discuss the current students' protests at various tertiary institutions in the province and around the country.    

The PEC expressed satisfaction with the province's preparations for and participation at the NGC. It welcomed the Political and Organisational reports presented and adopted by the NGC.  It further welcomed the resolutions adopted by the NGC which are dealing with the challenges facing the organisation and declared that the socio-economic liberation of our people remains on course.

The PEC commended Gauteng NGC delegates for the discipline with which they applied themselves to the NGC and urged all structures to build on the momentum of the NGC to continuously engage communities on the strides the ANC is making in the fulfillment of its resolutions and the mandate given to it by the people.

Guided by the National Guidelines for Candidate Selection towards the 2016 Local Government Elections  as well as the ANC 52nd National Conference resolutions to select candidates in consultation with our communities,  the best cadres for public office; the PEC ratified the Provincial and Regional List Committees.

We will be undertaking a supplementary audit of the branches in the province in preparation of the candidate nomination and selection process. The ANC takes great pride in the fact we are one of the few organizations whose candidates are selected in a manner which involves community participation. We once again call upon the community to participate in the process of selection of candidates when it opens to give practical meaning to the concept of participatory governance.

The PEC received a report on the student protests for accessible, inclusive and quality education. We unreservedly support the call for free education as it is in line with the ANC's 52nd National Conference resolution which directed the ANC government to work towards the progressive realisation of free education. While much has been done to fulfil the ANC's policy on higher education, much more still needs to be done.

We urge both the private and public sectors to move with great urgency towards free education. The PEC commended the Progressive Youth Alliance and students in general for the resolve, organization and discipline with which they conducted themselves during the protests. 

The struggle for accessible education is not over. The moratorium on fee increases for the 2016 academic year is but one victory in an ongoing struggle towards the realisation of a comprehensive transformation of the institutions of higher learning.

The gains which have been achieved include raising the issue of the exclusionary nature of tertiary education in South Africa, cannot be derailed by rogue and violent elements committed to intimidation, disruptions and violence. It is our conviction that protests of the previous week were in defence of the right of those who want to learn, to do so. ANC Gauteng Province urges students to heed the call to return to their lecture halls and resume their academic programme in preparation for the examinations. 

Statement issued by Hope Mankwana Papo, Provincial Secretary, ANC Gauteng Province, 27 October 2015