POLITICS

Launch of ANC Foundation Course for renewal and building – ANC

Party says initiative is rooted in the ANC's vision of fostering a unified and well-informed membership

Launch of the ANC Foundation Course for renewal and building

28 October 2024

Today, the African National Congress (ANC) launched a Foundation Course on political education for its members, with the aim of ensuring that all the ANC members, old and new, operate from the same premise of political understanding, history, values and principles. This is part of a key element in our commitment to organizational renewal and the empowerment of our members.

This initiative is rooted in the ANC's vision of fostering a unified and well-informed membership, and it builds on the resolutions of its national conferences. The 53rd National Conference was declared a Decade of the Cadre, and the 55th National Conference emphasized the need for every ANC member to have a foundational understanding of the ANC's mission, vision, and values.

As part of a foundation for unity and activism, and also building on ANC's historic role in South Africa's liberation struggle, the Foundation Course is designed to equip members with a comprehensive understanding of the organisation's history, vision, principles, values and the path forward.

In line with the ideals of the Freedom Charter, this course will reinforce our commitment to a united, on-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous South Africa.

The Foundation Course set to be implemented over the next year, will ensure that every ANC member gains a comprehensive understanding of its set objectives, along with the challenges facing our nation and the role of govemment in addressing them.

This course will cover five essential modules:

I. The history of the ANC

2. The ANC's vision for South Africa

3. The country and world we live in today

4. The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the role of the ANC in our democratic era

5. The responsibilities and ethics of ANC branches and members, including activism and organizing skills.
This foundational program aims to inspire all members to embody the values of the ANC to become active agents of change in their communities, while fostering unity and commitment to the organisation's mission and goals.

The Foundation Course aims to achieve the following for all our members:

1. Unite and empower our membership through a common understanding of the ANC's values, discipline, and vision, and providing consistent training materials across the country, including videos and standardized resources. This course will foster a unified message.

2. Strengthen our connection with communities across South Africa: by empowering members with a renewed sense of purpose and an understanding of our core values, we intend to restore public trust in the ANC.

3. Instill a clear commitment to the National Democratic Revolution (NDR), reaffirming our dedication to a united, democratic and a non-discriminatory South Africa.

4. Equip members with insights on addressing critical issues of poverty, unemployment and inequality, in a way that encourages collaboration and community buy-in.

5. Encourage members in government to act not only in the interests of the ANC but in the national interest, ensuring alignment with the ANC's vision and the country's Constitution.

Implementation Plan and Rollout

The National Executive Committee (NEC) will lead the rollout of the Foundation Course, working through each ANC branch.

Our national rollout will begin with the training of 300 trainers and three facilitators per ANC branch to ensure effective delivery across all regions, and this will include the Veterans, experienced organizers, and leaders from the ANC Women's League (WL), Youth League (YL) and Alliance partners. Each province will coordinate local leaders and organizers to ensure that the majority of our members complete the training within the next year.

Every ANC member, new or existing, is required to complete these modules by December 2025, with further opportunities for more advanced education in organizational skills and leadership available through additional courses starting in January 2026.

Completion of the Foundation Course is mandatory and it will be a prerequisite for all members seeking leadership or candidacy positions. Advanced training will follow for those interested in deepening their involvement at the Branch, Regional, Provincial and National Political Schools levels.

A Call to Action for Renewal

This Course is part of our broader Rebuilding and Renewal program, aimed at strengthening the ANC as a disciplined and values-driven movement. In the past few years, we engaged robustly on how the renewal process should take shape, it was agreed that political education remains central to our efforts, fostering the political consciousness and organizational skills required to realize the kind of South Africa we envision.

As our former President Oliver Tambo said in 1985, "The strength of any organisation lies in the calibre of its individual members and units. We need cadres of unquestionable loyalty, dedication, and understanding of the struggle... a distinctive feature of a revolutionary cadre is the highest level of discipline, dedication, and courage in carrying out the tasks of the movement. "

Empowering for Leadership and Governance

Beyond the Foundation Course, targeted political classes and masterclasses will be provided for all ANC leaders and public representatives, focusing on strategic governance, policy development and ethical leadership. Joint political programs with allied progressive movements are also planned, reinforcing our shared mission for a better future.

With this initiative, the ANC reaffirms its commitment to educational renewal, member empowerment, and leadership development. This course will be pivotal for members who are ready to uphold our values, represent the ANC's vision and seek to serve the South African people with integrity and dedication.

Through this Foundation Course, we commit to nurturing such cadres - who are dedicated activists and organizers - working tirelessly to build a better South Africa, Africa, and the World.

Issued by Mahlengi Bhengi-Motsiri, National Spokesperson, ANC, 28 October 2024