ANC YOUTH LEAGUE STATEMENT ON THE RESEARCHERS APPOINTED TO DO RESEARCH ON NATIONALISATION OF MINES.

The ANC Youth League has noted the Researchers appointed by the ANC to do research on Nationalisation of Mines and other strategic sectors of the economy in line with the ANC National General Council resolution which reads as follows, "there was greater consensus in the commission on the nationalisation of mines and other strategic sectors of the economy. The NGC therefore mandated the NEC to ensure further work be done, including research, study tours and discussions, and to report to the Policy Conference for decision at National Conference in 2012".

The ANC Youth League particularly objects to the inclusion of Paul Jordan as one of the researchers because he has publicly pronounced his opposition to Nationalisation of Mines. The ANC Youth League believes that Paul Jordan's inclusion in the research team will altogether undermine the integrity of the research process. We call on the ANC to reconsider his inclusion in the research team because he is prejudiced and his contribution will forever be questionable, because his views contradict the Freedom Charter.

The ANC Youth League is further concerned that the researchers appointed do not reflect generational mix, particularly the inclusion of young researchers in the team of those who will research nationalisation of Mines. We emphasise on the inclusion of youth as researchers of the best model on nationalisation because young people in South Africa constitute majority of the unemployed and poverty stricken population. The recent political events in Tunisia and Egypt are a sign that the youth should never be sidelined in any process that seek to define the future.

The ANC Youth League will continue to engage with the ANC on our view of what should happen with the research process and will never agree to any research outcome that contradicts the Freedom Charter. It is our considered view that the research process on nationalisation of mines should be satisfactory to all interested parties in the National Liberation Movement to avoid unnecessary conflicts. 

Statement issued by Floyd Shivambu, the ANC Youth League, February 23 2011

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