ANC KZN PEC STATEMENT
The PEC had its ordinary meeting yesterday (Monday) and it undertook an assessment on the state of the province and some of the issues in the national discourse. Among issues, the ANC reflected upon included the following:
National students’ protest
The ANC noted the issues raised by the students and they resonate with the approach and the long-standing resolution on education matters. The ANC also noted that in most of the cases, the students wanted to bring their issues to the attention of the ruling party. The fact that the students brought their matters to the attention of the ANC reaffirms the confidence that the students and the people of South Africa have on the ANC. On the same note it must be remembered that the ANC’s 52nd conference took a resolution on free quality higher education. Therefore, the students are not defining themselves outside the posture of the ANC.
The ANC is continuously engaged in the struggle to transform the society and one of the key pillars of that struggle is to open doors of learning to all as envisaged in the Freedom Charter. As the ANC we must begin to interrogate concepts such as institutional autonomy and academic freedom and how they tend to reduce the state’s capacity to transform higher education.
The PEC welcomed prompt and decisive intervention and leadership provided by President Jacob Zuma on this critical matter. In this regard, the ANC in KZN has hope that the task team assembled by the government (President) will move with speed to find a lasting solution to this challenge of access to education and funding thereof. The PEC is also of the view that the institutions of higher learning should be able to raised funds for the struggling students and do away with the financial exclusion of students.
On severity of drought in KZN
The PEC deliberated on the severity of drought in the province, especially affecting areas in the north of the province. The ANC expressed serious about the impact of drought on communities and the farming communities, warning that this could have negative impact on food security.
The ANC calls on all the people of the province to adhere to water restriction and to use water sparingly. The ANC noted that this is the worst drought to hit the province since 1990s and this natural phenomenon has become calamitous with farmers and ordinary citizens impacted negatively. We have noted the desperate attempts by some political players who are now taking advance of the drought situation and using it to revive their waning political fortunes. It is also of concern to the ANC that the current drought problem is treated as a government problem with only government expected to provide answers.
The ANC calls on everyone, including the private sector to play their part and contribute in conserving water. The ANC calls on all sectors of society including private sector to play their part and contribute in the #SAVEWATER campaign. We call on industry to ensure that there are water conservation messages in al premises and to contribute in assisting government to augment the water capacity through the drilling of boreholes where water tables are still high, to support even by providing additional water tankers for communities in distress or any other means. We call for educational campaigns and the change of lifestyle in the manner we are using water. We must use only what we need, its business unusual.
On Peace process led by Gauteng, KZN and traditional leaders
The PEC acknowledged the successful efforts to broker a lasting peace among the KwaZulu-Natal residents based at Gauteng hostels. After intensive negotiations, the warring factions have finally agreed to cease their hostilities towards the peaceful coexistence. This peace deal was celebrated by thousands of people at the event hosted by the Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal governments in Johannesburg at the weekend. Equally, the PEC applauded the role played by provincial traditional leaders in achieving this noble objective of peace. We are equally aware all initiatives and community dialogues led by the provincial government to find a lasting peace on the challenges face by the residents of Glebelands Hostel in Umlazi.
On the eThekwini regional conference
It must be understood that there is no crises in the region as some sections of the media had reported. The branches of the ANC are continuing to hold BGMs which is the normal process for the preparation for the conference. However, we need emphasized that the challenges encountered in BGMs are being handled and getting all the attention from the ANC leadership. We can assure everyone that the branches in the region will soon complete the processes and hold the conference.
On the preparations for the provincial conference
The PEC also deliberated on preparations for the upcoming provincial conference and expressed satisfaction with the state readiness for holding successful conference. All ANC branches are putting their shoulder to the wheel in ensuring that all proper processes are adhered to in convening general meetings in line with the culture of the ANC. The upcoming conference will be attended by delegates coming from all our 11 regions.
Currently the branches are consolidating their policy positions and in terms of the state of readiness we are sitting at 80 percent on the state of preparedness. There is about 1 700 people that will be attending the conference. We currently busy with the pre-registrations to ensure smoothness of the conference. We expect that the conference will offer the ANC an opportunity to brutally and honestly with our strengths and weakness and ensure that we emerge with a vigorous programme of action that will lead us to the overwhelming victory in the Local Government Elections.
We commend the manner in which the branches have conducted their BGMs and we have no doubt that this spirit will prevail during the conference.
Statement issued by the ANC KZN Provincial Secretary, Sihle Zikalala, 27 October 2015
