STATEMENT OF THE PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
18 September 2012
The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal held its Special Provincial Executive Committee meeting in Ladysmith on the 17th of September 2012. The Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) was convened to deal with organizational preparations for the 53rd ANC conference in Mangaung, to assess the implementation of the working relationship agreement between the ANC and the National Freedom Party (NFP) and lastly to deal with the unfortunate politically related killings in the province. The PEC was preceded by the PWC meeting with all sub-regions to assess the state of the organisation, state of municipalities in the region and interact with the ANC regional and branch leadership in Okhahlamba Region.
The process of engaging structures, branches, councillors and regions assisted the ANC to assess the strength of the organisation and to ensure that we deal with issues affecting the organisation. The leadership of the branches were afforded an opportunity to evaluate the organizational strength and capacity to implement the organisational mandate within the organization and in the Council. The PWC has satisfied itself that the organization is still vibrant, intact and strong. The Regional leadership were given tasks to address with immediate effect.
On the preparation for Mangaung Conference
The ANC in the province has recommitted itself to ensuring unity in the organisation before, during and after the conference. The ANC will not afford to come back from Mangaung being divided. The PEC has adopted the programme of meeting with structures through cadres forum in the province. The PEC accepted the nomination guidelines from the National Executive Committee. The PEC agreed that the task of the 53rd (Manguang) National Conference is to position the ANC to deal with the tasks of the current epoch of the revolution to ensure the following:
- Unity and cohesion of the organization;
- Defeating the challenges of the incumbency;
- Strengthen the organizational renewal;
- Building the social cohesion; and
- Accelerate of the sociology-economic transformation.
The PEC further underscores the "Through the eyes of the needle" document as the primary guiding tool during the process of assessing the leadership and nominations of leadership. The PEC avoided the temptation to discuss the issue of names as this will be the task of the branch general membership during the Branch General Meetings to nominate leaders.
On the Planning Commission
The PEC has acknowledged the ANC government's decision to develop a long term vision for the country. It is for the first time for the country to develop a clear strategy for the development of the country. We are convinced that currently the main task is to mobilise people behind the 2030 vision in order to coordinate efforts aimed at building the country for the better.
This is a clear indication that there is leadership to take the country forward. The planning commission, New Growth Path and Industrial strategy are critical milestones achieved by our country.
On the instability on the mining sector
The ANC in the province has applauded the government's intervention in the mining sector. We urge all parties to resolve the wage disputes peacefully without resorting to the use violence or intimidation of other members of society. It is imperative for all stakeholders to work together in finding the amicable solution in the mining sector.
On the political related killings
The ANC is a democratic organisation where divergence views are acceptable in the organisation. We are prepared to defend the culture of the ANC and protect the good image of the ANC. We will continue championing democracy and remain as the most democratic organization. We urge members to desist from resorting to the barrel of the gun to address our differences.
The PEC categorically denounced the ongoing killing of ANC leaders and members in particular in the Lower South Coast region. The Provincial Working Committee was tasked to continue having meetings with all regional leaders and ANC structures to restore the ANC culture of discipline amongst members. The PEC accepted the principle of automatically expelling any member in the organisation if he or she is involved in the killing of another ANC member. The meeting rejected political killings and viewed them as pure criminal acts which deserve no sympathy from the organization.
On the ANC and NFP working relationship
The PEC received a progress report on the state of municipalities that are under joint leadership of the ANC and NFP. The Mbabazane, Umtshezi and Inkandla municiplaities were identified as councils that require speedy intervention from leaders of both parties. The ANC committed itself to ensuring that the working relationship is strengthened to ensure that service delivery is not compromised.
Statement issued by Sihle Zikalala, ANC KwaZulu-Natal provincial secretary, September 18 2012
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