Media statement of the ANC NEC meeting held on the 17th - 19th May 2013

We would like to start off by asking for a moment of silence in honour of one of the greatest journalists of our time who was growing fast into prominence, Vuyo Mbuli.

The National Executive Committee of the African National Congress met in its regular meeting over three days 17th - 19th May 2013, at Saint George Hotel. The meeting received the President's overview, the report of the National Working Committee and reports from the NEC Subcommittees.

The report on International Relations was discussed extensively with a focus on the 50th Anniversary of the OAU/AU. The ANC reaffirmed its commitment to contributing to the building of a better Africa and a better world. The celebrations of the fiftieth anniversary of the OAU/ AU starting on the 25th May 2013 will help the movement lead the process of educating South Africans about the journey travelled by the continent over the last fifty years, mainly focusing on the liberation of every piece of the African soil from colonisation and racial domination.

The discussion paper on Africa added details to this discussion. The NEC was reminded that in the document "Ready to Govern: ANC policy Guidelines for a Democratic South Africa" the ANC re-committed itself that; "A democratic South Africa will actively promote the objectives of democracy, peace, stability, development and multi-beneficial relations among the people of Africa as a whole as well as Pan African solidarity". NEC decided to affirm the correctness of this approach in the face of the growing hostility against the continent by opposition forces.

In the face of the growing anti-majoritarian positioning of the opposition forces and the agitation for discontent, the ANC will continue telling the story of our country as is and therefore remind society of the progress made over the last twenty years.

Amongst issues discussed and approved by the NEC was the assessment of the 53rd National Conference in Mangaung. The meeting was unanimous that the conference was a resounding success from various points of view. Some of the issues are; policy outcomes, planning and logistics, conduct of delegates and smooth electoral process. The NEC agreed that further discussions be undertaken on a number of issues related to the future conferences. These are; fixed venue for national conferences, deciding early on the logistical details of the 54th National Conference.

The NEC discussed the state of the trade union movement in the country. It considered factors that led to the creation of labour federations in the country and the fact that this provided an opportunity to harmonise labour relations and labour practices. The meeting further noted that the recent attacks on NUM and Satawu is in fact an attack on Cosatu as a federation and on the Congress Movement as a whole. The ANC resolved to develop a comprehensive programme of engagement with individual unions. The officials were directed to engage COSATU on an ongoing basis.

The NEC was also given a report on preparations for the Alliance Economic Summit with the Economic Transformation Committee of the ANC being the driver of the process. The Summit will take place at the end of June.

The NEC approved the name of Comrade Amos Masondo as the National Coordinator of the elections campaign for 2014 elections. The name of Comrade Manne Dipico was approved as the ANC's National List Coordinator and that he will be deputized by a woman. The NEC also approved the establishment of a List Committee to be headed by the Secretary General of the ANC, Comrade Gwede Mantashe.

The meeting also endorsed the name of Thami KaPlaatjie as a senior researcher to be placed at the ANC's Policy Institute. In this regard he will be responsible for research and the support Monitoring and Evaluation unit. He will also coordinate and guide the work of young researchers that will be deployed in the Institute. The NEC also approved two names to be added to the Integrity Commission, these are Barbara Masekela and Bongi Dlomo. These additions will bring the number of Commissioners to twelve.

In terms of the continuing work on provinces by the NWC, the NEC received reports and took decisions on issues affecting the Tlokwe Municipality in the North West and Lukhanji (Queenstown) in the Eastern Cape. In addition to the work done, the NWC was given a task of meeting all the councilors in all the provinces to consolidate work that was started in 2012.

The NEC meeting received reports from the following subcommittees; Policy, Elections, International Relations, Political Education and Economic Transformation. All these subcommittees gave progress report and recommended decisions as part of their functional responsibilities. The NEC has expressed satisfaction on the work done by these NEC Subcommittees.

The NEC endorsed the President's initiative to go to Eldorado Park on the invitation of the community in their plight for a need to fight against drugs and drugs abuse. The view of the meeting is that the battle against drugs must be won to save those addicted to them. In this regard the NEC has directed the relevant Sub-committees working together with government departments to follow through on this matter. As the ANC we cannot be a spectator what has become a cancer destroying and eating our society and our nation.

The NEC agreed to take the campaign on the scourge of violence against women and children to a higher level. The relevant subcommittee of the ANC will lead this campaign.

SA report on the landing of the Jet Airways plane in Waterkloof Military Base was presented and discussed. The NEC agreed to wait for the report of the DGs as commissioned by the Ministers in the security cluster. The report has now been finalized and made public. The ANC welcomes the outcome of the investigation. We appreciate details contained in the report and clarity given. It provides the basic information on what happened. This will help the parliamentary debate on Wednesday. We are confident that the relevant Ministers will take the process to its logical conclusion so that this incident does not repeat itself.

Reports were received on the provincial conference of the Free State and the Provincial General Council of KZN. The outcomes of the Provincial Conference were endorsed as the NEC was convinced that the processes were thorough and reputable and the new leadership of the Free State was welcomed together with the Chairperson of KZN province. Progress reports were received from both the NTT of the ANCYL and the PTT of Limpopo.

Statement issued by ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe, May 20 2013

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