ANC STATEMENT OF THE OUTCOMES OF THE NATIONAL WORKING COMMITTEE HELD ON MONDAY 2 AUGUST 2021

5 August 2021

The National Working Committee met virtually on Monday, 2 August 2021 to conduct its ongoing work of implementing the decisions of the NEC and preparing for the NEC and NEC Lekgotla meetings scheduled for 21 - 23 August 2021.

The NWC observed a moment of silence in remembrance of the many South Africans who have lost their lives to COVID-19 and during the violence and looting accompanying the recent attempted insurrection, especially in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

The ANC conveys its heartfelt condolences to their families, friends and comrades and we dip our revolutionary banner in salute to their memory.

The NWC congratulated the South African Olympic team, especially gold and silver medallists Tatjana Schoenmaker and Bianca Buitendag, for flying the South African flag high and for inspiring our nation as they pursued the Olympic motto — "Faster, Higher, Stronger — Together."

Covid-19 Pandemic

The NWC received a regular report on the work of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) from the President. It commended the efforts by government to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, to speed up the vaccination programme and promote the local production of vaccines. Ft noted the overall decline in infections but expressed concern regarding rising infections in the Western Cape in particular.

We call on all who live in South Africa to continue taking steps to protect themselves and each other by wearing masks, maintaining social distance, and washing or sanitising their hands regularly.

We urge our structures to be at the forefront of encouraging all those who are eligible to get vaccinated, and to combat false information that undermines the vaccination programme.

The NWC welcomed the extension of the social relief of distress grant along with a commitment to discuss more comprehensive long-term social support measures, including a basic income grant, at the forthcoming NEC Lekgotla,

Failed attempt at insurrection

The NWC condemned the recent attempted counter-revolutionary violence and looting, which can be characterized as insurrectionary. These actions, focused mainly in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. resulted in more than 300 deaths, billions of rand of damage and destruction to infrastructure, social services, and business. It has disrupted the lives of citizens and their communities, their education, health, and economic activity — threatening thousands of jobs.

These events were planned, instigated, and well-coordinated. The targeting of strategic links in the transport and logistical value chain, such as the N3 highway and the Durban port, were not co-incidental. It was calculated to cause maximum disruption to the economy and flows of essential goods such as food, fuel, and medicine, amongst others.

The events were preceded by a process of low-level mobilization and preparation through meetings and social media, including the identification of targets that were indeed affected, as well as calls for the resignation of the NEC and the President.

The NWC condemned the racial attacks and blockades inspired by vigilantes in a number of areas, including Phoenix. The NWC stressed the need to reaffirm the non-racial character of the ANC and its commitment to building cohesive society in a united, non-racial, non-sexist democratic and prosperous South African nation.

The NWC commended the thousands of members of the police service and defence force whose deployment quelled the violence and brought peace and stability to affected communities. They acted within the law and the Constitution, often in the face of extreme provocation, to prevent loss of life and property, including during the arrest of former President Jacob Zuma. The NWC expressed concern regarding the speed and co-ordination of the response and urged government to attend to the capacity, resourcing, effectiveness, and accountability of the security services.

The NWC commended the demonstration of lawful people's power by citizens and organized civil society who rejected these counter-revolutionary actions, in the words and actions, and rose in defence of their communities and our constitutional democracy.

The NWC called for unity and vigilance to counter the possibility of any further attempts at counter-revolutionary insurrection, in light of ongoing mobilization, including on social media. This includes acting decisively to investigate, arrest and prosecute the planners of the attempted insurrection. as well as addressing poverty, unemployment and inequality in our society.

The ANC will act decisively against any of its members who have or continue to participate in these activities.

Women's Month Campaign — Year of Charlotte Maxeke

The NWC adopted a programme of action for Women's Month during the Year of Charlotte Maxeke, which will be commemorated under the theme: "Generation Equality: Realizing Women's Rights for an Equal Future."

This year marks 65 years since the historic 1956 Women's march and 150 years since the birth of Charlotte Maxeke. Women's month also takes place 26 years after the adoption of the Beijing Platform of Action for women's empowerment and gender equality.

Women's Month is a platform to commemorate the historic contribution and struggles of women, and to focus the attention of the nation on the rights of women and to assess how far we have come on the journey towards women empowerment and gender equality.

We commemorate Women's Month in the midst of the global Coronavirus pandemic. It has had a devastating impact on families, communities and the economy. Our programme will focus on supporting the vaccination campaign, promoting peace, stability and reconciliation in communities affected by violence, and ensuring the participation of women in local government and local government elections.

Our democracy has registered significant progress in restoring the dignity of women. However, many women still bear a disproportionate burden of the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment. The struggle for women emancipation is far from over. Gender-based violence and other challenges continue to rob women of the opportunity to become productive citizens of the country.

As we prepare for local government elections, we must ensure that role of women as leaders in their own right is acknowledged and affirmed. The ANC is committed to gender equity in selecting candidates for local government elections. We call upon all parties to uphold this progressive principle.

The programme will support efforts by government and civil society to encourage women, especially elderly women, in various communities to register, vaccinate in large numbers while also inspiring their families and communities in the context of the ongoing ANCWL Molo Makhelwane Campaign. The campaign will also involve reflection on the impact of the coronaviirus pandemic on women, who constitute the majority of frontline workers and caregivers in communities.

Gertrude Shope Mediators will engage women structures and government particularly. international relations trained activists to lead the programme of women in safety and security.

Isithwalandwe/Seaparankoe Sophie du Eruyn, veteran of the historic 1956 women's march, will lay wreaths at the graves of the late veterans of our struggle, Mama Helen Joseph and Mama Lillian Ngoyi.

The detailed Women's Month programme is attached to the statement.

ANC NATIONAL YOUTH TASK TEAM

The NWC received an update that the ANC NYTI has since disbanded structures of the ANCYL in Provinces and Regions as part of the ongoing process to rebuild the ANCYL.

The NWC encouraged the ANC NYTT to work with Provincial and Regional Structures of the ANC as well as the Progressive Youth Alliance in establishing task teams to make the rebuilding process more inclusive and seamless.

Further that the ANC NYTT should be empowered with the approved communications protocols of the movement for greater coherence with ANC policies and values in both their articulations and expressions.

Local Government Elections

The NWC supported the proclamation of the local government elections date by Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma. This legal requirement will enable the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to approach the courts to postpone the elections scheduled for 27 October 2021 in line with the recommendations of the Moseneke Inquiry on holding free and fair elections during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Notwithstanding the application for postponement of the elections ANC structures are proceeding to prepare for elections through the development of the ANC elections manifesto and the selection of candidates.

Local Government Candidate Selection

The process of candidate selection is being conducted under the auspices of the ANC Electoral Committee headed by former Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe. The process is designed to ensure maximum participation by communities.

In line with the decisions of the last NEC the National Officials are conducting interviews with candidates to fill vacancies for Executive Mayors of Johannesburg and Mangaung.

These processes give effect to resolutions of the 54th National Conference to introduce greater rigour and integrity in the process of selecting candidates to ensure the deployment of appropriately qualified, skilled and experienced members who uphold the highest values of integrity and selfless service to the people.

Constitutional Court Judgment / Electoral Systems

The NWC considered a report from the NEC Sub-committee on Legislature & Governance on proposals to give effect to the judgment of the Constitutional Court directing Parliament to provide for independent candidates to contest elections for Parliament and Provincial Legislatures, as well as proposals for broader electoral reform. This report will be discussed by the next NEC.

NEC Lekgotla

The next NEC Lekgotla is scheduled to take place on 21 — 23 August 2021. In addition to reviewing progress with implementation of decisions of the January Lekgotla, it will focus on the Covid-19 pandemic, economic reconstruction and recovery, local government, the capacity of the state, as well as climate change and a just transition.

Integrity Commission Reports

The NWC noted reports from the ANC Integrity Commission, and commended the Commission for its ongoing contribution to the renewal of the ANC in line with resolutions of the 54th National Conference. These reports will be tabled in the next NEC.

Appeal by Suspended Secretary General

The NWC noted the application for leave to appeal by suspended Secretary General ES Magashule against a high court decision to dismiss his attempt to set aside his suspension and challenge the validity of resolutions and provisions of the ANC Constitution requiring those charged with criminal offences to step aside pending finalization of such cases.

Engagement with Sinn Fein on Irish re-unification

The NWC welcomed the ongoing engagement with Sinn Fein and noted the growing support for Irish re-unification. In recalling the ties of solidarity forged between the organisations during the struggle against Apartheid, it emphasised the important role that the international community can play in support of a referendum on Irish unity and in contributing to positive constitutional change in Ireland.

Politicization of Covid-19 Origin tracing

The NWC noted with concern ongoing attempts to smear and attack China on the pretext of the politicization of COVID-19 origin-tracing and the pressure being placed on the World Health Organization to launch another round of origin-tracing investigation in China. The ANC supports scientific sourcing tracing and efforts to promote global cooperation in the containing of the Covid-1 pandemic and oppose the politicization of scientific matters and the stigmatization of labelling viruses by geographical reference.

AU observer status for Israel

The NWC expressed dismay regarding the decision by the AU secretariat to grant Israel observer status and reaffirmed the ANCs commitment to solidarity with the people of Palestine during this time of intensified Israeli aggression. The decision is an affront to the founding principles and objectives of the African Union

Issued by the African National Congress National Working Committee, 5 August 2021