ANC NEC STATEMENT 14-16 May 2010

The ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) held its regular meeting at Gallagher Estate from the 14-15 May 2010.  True to the ANC character, the discussions and debates were mostly centred on the President's overview and the National Working Committee (NWC) report.  The meeting was open and frank and the NEC deeply engaged on the tasks of this liberation movement.

ON THE FIFA 2010 WORLD CUP

The NEC has noted with pride that in the next twenty-six days, South Africa will have the honour of hosting the biggest sporting event in the world, the 2010 FIFA World Cup.  The FIFA World Cup will be hosted in a developing African Country for the first time in the history of FIFA and the tournament.  A legacy that will probably not be repeated in our life-time.

Without the visionary leadership of the ANC, and sacrifices of the masses of our people, South Africa would not be hosting this World Cup. This World Cup is therefore a celebration of our people struggles for freedom, a celebration of our international solidarity and is an honour to those who died.

This World Cup has indeed excited our people and inspired them with a lot of hope. It has unleashed the energy and creativity of all sectors of our society. This soccer world cup has led to the delivery of infrastructure like the stadia, roads, airports, communication systems etc. Such infrastructure created jobs, contributed to the economy and to transformation.  But above all, it boosted the morale of the nation, improved our image internationally and contributed immensely towards social cohesion and nation building.

We call on all South Africans to continue embracing this project.  It is the product of our efforts and an affirmation of our freedom.

We must remind the nation that freedom came at a great price, and that many lost their lives so that we can live in a South Africa where we can wear colours of the national flag with pride and welcome thousands of soccer loving fans, players and administrators from all over the world to this great land.

The NEC believes that beneficiaries of any proceeds from the World Cup should be the people of South Africa and such proceeds should be directed not to any individuals but to football development.

ON THE BUILDING A NON-RACIAL SOCIETY

The ANC has the responsibility of building a united, non-racial, no-sexist and democratic South Africa.  This responsibility imposes the duty on the ANC to reach out to communities that have historically not supported it, and even sections of society that have been outright hostile to the ANC. Over the last two years, the ANC stepped up its engagement with minority communities, with the Afrikaner community using this space more aggressively.

It is becoming clear that the majority of all South Africa irrespective of race, colour or creed support and embrace the democratisation and transformation of our country for the better since 1994. We are therefore proud that all South Africans can hold their heads high in the new South Africa.

ON THE ANC MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

The ANC will be launching its Imvuselelo campaign in the Mpumalanga province on the 23 May 2010. This Imvuselelo campaign includes amongst others a massive recruitment drive that will culminate in the targeted one million membership for the ANC in 2012.

ON THE NGC PREPARATIONS

The NEC has noted the preparations undertaken by its subcommittees, through reports submitted, for the National General Council (NGC).  Whilst the NEC expressed its happiness with the thorough preparations for the NGC, it none-the-less directed all the subcommittees to step up their work.

ON THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE ALLIANCE SUMMIT

The NEC has accepted the proposal of the Alliance Secretariat that:

• The Alliance Summit be must have a fully-fledged Alliance Summit that will entertain issues of policy, the character of the alliance and local government summit.
• The alliance Secretariat will meet on the 03 June to take forward the preparations for the summit.
• The Alliance ten-a-side will meet on the 08 June 2010 to further interact with the work of the summit.
• The summit will be held after the World Cup.

ON THE ANC CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

The NEC received on progress made thus far by the Centenary Committee. The NEC is happy with the progress made including in the provinces and in the international arena.

ON THE EXCHANGE EDUCATIONAL TRIPS WITH THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY

The NEC received a report on a two weeks NEC Study Tour which was led by Cde Cyril Ramaphosa to the Communist Party of China (CPC) from the 22 November- 5 December 2009.  The tour was the first outcome of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the ANC and CPC on Exchange and Cooperation in 2007, following Presidnet Zuma's visit there.

The next educational trip to China is scheduled to take place in July 26 to August 08th 2010, and twenty-three NEC members led by the National Chairperson, Baleka Mbethe. We can learn more on the Chinese around their Planning model and also their political education model.

ON THE CUBA VISIT

A six-member delegation, led by the ANC Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe visited Cuba during the period March 19th -25th 2010.  The ANC has learnt that the pride with which Cuban people have about their history and the revolution is something we could learn from.  Monuments that capture the history of the Cuban revolution and the role of the heroes of the revolution is something, as revolutionaries, we could replicate so that generations to come can treasurer our history and heritage.  The NEC has again restated its support for the release of the Cuban Five incarcerated in the US as well as the end of the US blockade of Cuba.

ON THE MEETING OF THE FORMER LIBERATION MOVEMENTS

Former Liberation Movements met in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, over two days. The parties agreed:

• To strengthen the relationships amongst themselves
• To share experience on an ongoing basis
• To identify and preserve struggle heritage sites in the continent

ON THE PASSING OF DR VAN ZYL SLABBERT AND SHEENA DUNCAN

The NEC paid tribute to the two great South Africans, Sheena Duncan, a renowned anti apartheid activist, and Dr Van Zyl Slabbert a true patriot and a bridge builder. May their soul rest in peace and we send our deepest condolences to their families and close friends.

Statement issued by Gwede Mantashe, African National Congress secretary general, May 16 2010

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