POLITICAL REPORT TO THE 7TH PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE OF THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS O KWAZULU-NATAL DELIVERED IN NEWCASTLE BY PROVINCIAL CHAIRPERSON DR Z.L. MKHIZE, May 11 2012
Comrade President, members of the National Executive Committee;
Comrade Deputy Chairperson, Officials and
Members of the Provincial Executive Committee - former chair, Comrade Sbu Ndebele, Comrade Bathabile Dlamini;
Leadership of the Tripartite Alliance-SACP; COSATU, SANCO
The ANC Veterans League, Women's League, Youth League, MKMVA and delegates from other provinces, Comrade deputy chair of Mpumalanga David Dube;
Leaders of fraternal parties and all political parties present;
Families of former presidents - the Dube, Lembede, Gumede, Seme, Luthuli and Zuma families;
Regional and Branch leaders of the ANC
Members of Parliament, Members of the Provincial Legislature and Councillors;
Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Consular Service;
Leaders of SASCO, COSAS, YCL;
Honoured Guests,
The instructions are clear - KwaZulu-Natal is ready to act as instructed. Comrade President, we must thank you profusely for an inspiring address, a revival talk. If you do not know the ANC after this talk, you need prayer.
It is an honour and privilege for me to welcome delegates from the branches in all eleven regions of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal to this provincial conference-the highest decision making structure of the ANC in the province. This is the longest term in office for the Provincial Executive Committee as it is the first four year term for Provincial Leadership since the National Conference took the decision to extend it from the three year term.
The ANC dips its banners to respect the departed member of the National Executive Committee member and former Minister in government, comrade Sicelo Shiceka who passed away last week. We are saddened by the sudden departure of Cde Roy Pasayachie. The day before yesterday we paid our last respect to a humble cadre and a committed freedom fighter who served his country as an activist and Minister in government. Like a true revolutionary, he served his country till his last breath and died in Addis Ababa.
We also pay our respects to Comrade Florence Nyanda, a loyal and outstanding member of the National Assembly - the ANC lost these outstanding parliamentarians in one week.
We also acknowledge many more comrades who lost their lives during this term of office.
This leadership concludes today the task it was entrusted with on its election in June 2008, six months after the watershed 52nd conference held in Polokwane in December 2007. This leadership took office when the whole ANC grappled with its process of healing from the turmoil associated with that national conference, the subsequent recall of President Mbeki and the formation of Cope.
We are hosting this conference under the following theme:
"UNITY IN DIVERSITY: FORWARD WITH RESTORATION OF ORGANISATIONAL VALUES & THE ACCELERATION OF THE TRANSFORMATION AGENDA"
We believe the theme captures largely the messages we wish to convey in convening this conference.
We have come to the end of a challenging but yet rewarding term of office. It is a term which has seen our province consolidate its gains and deepen the unity of all our forces and advance to score significant new victories and broke new ground. It is the year when the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has recorded huge growth and yet demonstrated a deeper sense of internal party political stability and maturity.
This term of office has been populated by the celebrations of significant events in the history of our struggle.
2008 coincided with the hundred years since the sentencing of King Dinuzulu for the alleged involvement in the 1906 War of Resistance against the Poll Tax, popularly known as Bhambatha Uprisings. This was the last of the armed engagement between the colonial forces and our people, destroying for good the authority of traditional leadership as custodians of our sovereignty and undermined the significant role of traditional leaders in defending our country from colonial oppression. It heralded the new form of struggle in the formation of the African National Congress. The story of the life and times of King Dinuzulu ka Cetshwayo, elected Honorary President of the African National Congress in 1912, symbolises the continuity of struggle in a different form as conditions changed.
2010 was the year in which our country celebrated twenty years since our beloved Madiba was released from prison after twenty seven years in custody. We consider it a blessing of unquantifiable value that Madiba remains with us at this great mature age of 92 years. His contribution has been engrained in the spirit of South Africans and the whole world as we now all proudly celebrate Madiba Day and carry a little of his spirit of sacrifice, humility and selfless service in our hearts.
It was also the year we repatriated and reburied the remains of the all-time diplomat and champion for international solidarity Comrade Johnny Makhathini from Zambia.
It was the year in which South Africa hosted the whole world during the FIFA World Cup, show casing magnificent hospitality, generosity and national unity that demonstrated to the world the best of the Rainbow Nation and our unshaken commitment to the construction of a united, non-sexist and non-racial democratic society.
The year 2010 also represented 150 years since the arrival of Indian indentured labourers. This was an event which was celebrated by masses of our people throughout the year, including the erection of monuments and commemorative plaques in many towns of our province.
Our province hosted the Pravasi Bharathiya Divas- a conference sponsored by Indian Government to celebrate the contribution of Indian Diaspora, held for first time outside India addressed by our President and several ministers from the governments of India and South Africa. The conference highlighted the unique identity of the descendant of these indentured labourers as truly and uniquely South African, fully integrated and contributing to the construction of the South African Rainbow nation, as we celebrated 100 years since the birth of Dr Monty Naicker, the President of the Natal Indian Congress. Dr Monty Naicker, Dr Yusuf Dadoo and Dr A.B. Xuma laid the foundation for a combined struggle by creating a ‘united platform from which to fight oppression' in what was known as the Three Doctors Pact in August 1947.
The year 2011 was the year our country hosted the COP 17 Summit where the world converged in search of solutions to halt environmental degradation and the accumulation of carbon pollution. The province once again proved itself a superb venue without any comparison. The fact that there was a Durban agreement is also complement to South African negotiation skills.
CENTENARY CELEBRATION
2011 coincided with celebration of the 50 years since the receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize by President Albert Luthuli of the African National Congress as the first African to do so; as well as the celebration of the formation of Umkhonto Wesizwe. The spirit of these celebrations have been carried forward and infused in the year-long Centenary Celebrations that was launched by our President in Mangaung at the beginning of the year.
THE FLAME
We consider ourselves fortunate to have been alive to be part of the Centenary celebrations. The hosting of the Centenary Flame was the highlight of our celebration. We took the Flame to suburban homes, informal settlements and households in the country side villages. We visited the homes of known leaders of our struggle and brought it to humble abodes of less known activists, laying wreaths on the graves of fallen combatants and martyrs of our struggle.
UNITY IN DIVERSITY
We went into church services of various denominations and homes of Christians who read scripture out of the Bible and prayed in the name of Jesus. We visited Muslim families who prayed to Allah and recited passages of the Quran as they hosted this Centenary Flame. We were received in the homes of Hindu devotees who read passages from Bhagva Gita and chanted to Krishna as they embraced the Centenary Flame. The Flame was used to honour people of all faiths for their contribution to the freedom we enjoy today.
HONOURING HEROES
With the Centenary Flame we honoured our Presidents whose families hosted the Flame overnight in the homes of Dr J.L. Dube, J.T. Gumede, Dr Pixley ka-Isaka Seme, Chief Albert Luthuli and Current President J.G. Zuma; as well as stalwarts such as Moses Mabhida, Archbishop Dennis Hurley, Bishop Gwala, Harry Gwala, Billy Nair, Lenny Naidoo, Curnick Ndlovu, Nobleman Mzala Nxumalo, Griffiths and Victoria Mxenge, Florence Mkhize, Mduduzi Guma, M.B. Yengwa, Pass Four Phungula, George Mbhele and other heroes too many to enumerate as well as victims of Ngoye, Trustfeed, Shobashobane and other massacres.
DEEP EMOTIONS
Each family or group of people had a moving story to tell about the manner in which the struggle over the years impacted to them as well as their families in the tortuous path that led us to freedom. The Centenary Flame ignited inside the hearts of our people, the renewed love and commitment to the African National Congress. The Centenary Flame has evoked deep emotions as people reached deep into the depth of their memories and told stories that lie buried in their minds about the pain they suffered as they lost their loved ones, as they languished in jail under torture, as their property was destroyed and they were forced to flee.
We were moved to see family members who flew in from abroad to join local members of their families to share with them the special moment of hosting the Centenary Flame.
Some have visible scars still showing on their bodies with bullets lodged deep in their organs, while others have visible marks of attacks on their homes and those who grieve but have no grave to show as their son or daughter disappeared without trace. Many carried themselves with quiet dignity never allowing their hurt to show but clasped the flame firmly as the tears uncontrollably rolled down their cheeks. It was a period of unbelievable bonding, healing and solidarity in which many a time all present wept together as we shared a sombre moment and emotions were evoked yet nothing in our daily lives showed that such deep emotions still existed.
THE FLAME OF HOPE
These moments soon turned to tears of joy as people thanked the ANC for not forgetting about them and their contributions. The enthusiasm with which this Centenary Flame was received has generated a special feeling for the ANC as a liberation movement, opened up the eyes of many who were disillusioned by the daily bombardment against the ANC in our public media. Those who were feeling frustrated and disappointed by errors committed by some in both leadership and membership have had their commitment to the ANC rekindled. The Centenary Flame re-ignited the spirits of activists, ex-combatants and ordinary people who have supported and voted for the ANC. The Centenary Flame has brought back hope and optimism!
THE FLAME REVIVES ANC
This celebration as symbolised in this Centenary Flame has revived the African National Congress and united its members, supporters and leaders in a manner that has not been imagined. The centenary Flame united those present and those who have gone before us. We were sad to let it go, but we were consoled by the fact that though the Centenary Flame has gone but it left the light behind in KwaZulu-Natal!
Let us spread this light of unity, and respect for all our people and their contributions that brought us freedom and democracy. Without acknowledging these contributions, our commitment to the future remains incomplete.
HONOURING A REVOLUTIONARY-JT GUMEDE
The lecture on the life of the fourth President of the ANC Josiah Tshangana Gumede delivered by our President was the most educational. It is important to understand JT Gumede's role to understand how the ANC was transformed into a revolutionary organisation, abandoning the strategy of appeasement and deputations and embracing militant resistance and defiance of unjust laws, the important role of motive forces, the workers, the rural poor and the youth in the prosecution of the National democratic revolution. It was Gumede's era of Presidency that brought to the fore the political dynamics of a multi-class liberation movement and the need for tolerance of divergent views to maintain unity and cohesion within the ANC and the fundamental necessity of the Alliance with the South African Communist Party and the Trade Union Movement.
We have come to understand the issue of internationalism and the importance of international solidarity in the evolution of our struggle.
REMEMBERING THE PIONEERS
This month's celebration of the life of President Pixley ka Isaka Seme highlights the power of the vision for a united, non-racial, non-sexist, free and democratic South Afrca that inspired all our people to ‘throw away the demon of tribalism'. This helps us understand the roles and contributions of pioneering leaders such as Presidents J.L. Dube, Mmapogo Makgatho, Zaccheus Mahabane including Charlotte Maxeke, Sol Plaatjie and many others who guided the movement in early days.
Our Provincial leadership has decided that the National Executive committee of the ANC be approached to request that miniature tokens of the Centenary flame be made to be kept in different households to light a family flame in memory of our departed heroes and keep as symbol of our celebration of such a significant milestone.
A pertinent question needs to be asked: how did we manage to allow for memories of such deep pain and trauma to be so quickly erased from memories of people who have endured suffering for so many centuries? How safe is the future of our freedom and democracy if contributions and sacrifices of its heroes are allowed to evaporate off the face of our public discourse? The centenary flame has served us a wake-up call!
RECORD THE HISTORY
Collectively we have a task to record all the stories of our people's contribution to the struggle. More significantly we need to rebuild on the faith that our people have in the ANC and deepen their participation in ANC structures as well as ensure that the non-racialism non-sexism reflects at all levels of our movement. Heroes of our movement have been located amongst all communities; Coloured, Indian, white and Black people; all of whom must always be made to feel at home in the African National Congress as they have always been during our struggle for liberation.
Speeding up service delivery and addressing the challenges of poverty unemployment and inequality will create lasting monuments in all communities to symbolise our victory and convince all who fought, suffered and lost loved ones that it was all not in vain.
SHARE THE LIGHT---EMBRACE ALL HEROES
We still have a task to reach out to different political organisations and work with them to embrace a common heritage of our struggle. We need to identify those amongst their organisations who made valuable contributions and embrace heroes from across the spectrum not only political parties in opposition to the ANC but to the broader civil society including worker's struggle, academics, artists, musicians, church and various religious and traditional leaders and in Non-governmental organisations for celebration.
We must activate our branches to continue reaching out to our people and ensure that the enthusiasm generated by the Centenary Flame is maintained even in areas where the flame did not reach physically. The year of the centenary must be the year of revival of the ANC.
THE ANC LEADS KWAZULU-NATAL
The ANC mounted a very energetic campaign in 2009 and was rewarded with massive voter support, increasing from 48% to 62% in the national and provincial elections, making it the undisputed voice of the people of our province. This is above the 60% that had been set by the Provincial leadership. We understood the message that people want to see service delivery. The votes do not represent blind endorsement.
The objective of the National Democratic Revolution as prosecuted by the ANC-led Alliance is the transformation of society and the creation of a better life for all our people. It is important to understand that the dawn of freedom created different conditions under which we pursue the same goal.
Conditions of freedom and democracy mean that the ANC as a ruling party, representing the majority of the people of our country, has the responsibility to preside over the resources of the public to improve their lives. This makes the poor people and the majority of all South Africans to be the main and the only focus for the ANC as the leading party in government.
It is important for all members of the African National Congress take seriously the task of holding accountable all leaders of the ANC occupying different structures within the state. The responsibility to ensure the ANC-led government delivers, lies in the hands of the ANC members primarily more than it does with opposition. This is how the ANC has approached governance in this province.
Hence the Provincial executive Committee of the ANC commissioned a process of assessment of the performance of the deployees in the Executive and Legislative arms of the State. The Premier, the Speaker, the MEC's and various members were subjected to this process. The findings were quite encouraging, to say the least. The major area of improvement that has been identified is the need for more robust engagement by elected representatives in public media.
ANC LED LEGISLATURE
The ANC runs an activist Legislature that has strong oversight responsibility over the executive. It has created a platform for dialogue through sectoral parliaments for the people by hosting the senior citizens, youth, the disabled, women, workers in the Legislature and open discussion with the leaders in government. This improves communication and helps people to table matters for attention and seek solutions in matters of service delivery.
COMMITMENT TO GOOD GOVERNANCE
The ANC took the view that the ANC in government needs to run an efficient government and eradicate corruption. This explains the strictness with which the government approach matters of supply chain management and introducing reforms. The energetic investigation of any form of corruption and involvement of former Judge President in the disciplinary processes is about the implementation of the resolutions of ANC conferences.
As a result the provincial government was able to reduce drastically the projected over-expenditure of R4.5 billion in 2009 to record R2.6 billion cash in the bank by the end 2011. These resources are now focussed to service delivery, and the need for intervention by national government has been averted. ANC members expect it of its leadership to run exemplary government as a mark of respect to those who have voted overwhelmingly for the ANC to prove that the ANC deserves their confidence.
TRIPPLE CHALLENGE-POVERTY, UNEMPLOYMENT AND INEQUALITY
The province of KwaZulu-Natal remains one of the poorest provinces, with the second highest unemployment rates numerically, with largest number of female headed households, orphans and the highest disease burden ie HIV and AIDS and Tuberculosis. It is the province with large backlogs in terms of infrastructure for the provision of water, sanitation, electrification, housing, roads, etc.
We align ourselves with the key message of President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation Address when he said:
"The mid-term review indicated steady progress in various areas such as health, education, the fight against crime, human settlements, energy, water provision, rural development and others. However, the triple challenge of unemployment, poverty and inequality persists, despite the progress made. Africans, women and the youth continue to suffer most from this challenge."
KWAZULU-NATAL CREATING JOBS
While the level of economic growth is too low to solve challenges above, the South African economy has shown stronger resilience as compared to many countries affected by the recession in 2009/2010 in the Eurozone (Portugal, Italy, Greece, Spain and France).
We need to always appreciate the economic stability of our own country which is a new democracy and an emerging economy and work together to build it. Prudent planning and foresight ensured that South Africa emerged relatively unscathed, and KwaZulu-Natal continues consistently to register remarkable performances. Our economy has shown strong growth for about 18 months, 6.5% year-on-year in December and resulted in 2.1% reduction in unemployment. It was reduced to 19.3, much lower than the latest national unemployment rate of 25%, as measured by Stats-SA in the fourth quarter of last year.
According to Stats SA Labour Force Survey (2011) KwaZulu-Natal economy was second only to Gauteng in the total jobs created; a total 123 000 jobs were created. Kwazulu-Natal responded to the call by President for job creation. We must admit that this is far from enough but it is a step in the right direction.
BUILDING A DEVELOPMENTAL STATE
South Africa has taken the route of becoming a developmental state with capacity to plan and implement massive infrastructure programme to lead growth and mobilise the private sector to invest alongside the state in a strong show of confidence in the country. Under the leadership of the ANC, KwaZulu-Natal has established a Provincial Planning Commission which has aligned all provincial plans to the national plans. As a result, the province is well positioned to take advantage of the infrastructure revolution that was announced by the President in the State of the Nation Address this year.
Our government focus is guided by the priorities adopted by the 52nd conference, which are: rural development, food security, land and agrarian reform; fighting crime and corruption; health; education; and; building the economy and creation of decent work.
INFRASTRUCTURE REVOLUTION AND SERVICE DELIVERY
Our Province will for the foreseeable future grow as a result of the combined investment of national departments and para-statals, provincial and local government and private sector. The majority of job opportunities will be created by the private sector, particularly the small business sector. The total pipeline investment directed to all the districts in KwaZulu-Natal ranges between R3-billion to R8-billion for each district. Uthukela, Uthungulu and eThekwini investment will be more than R20-billion because of special projects in those areas.
The provincial budget has about R15 billion for construction of roads, bridges, health facilities and large housing projects in Blaauwbosch, Cornubia, Vulindlela, Driefontein and many other parts of the province.
WATER
An increase in water provision from 81% in 2009 to 88% in 2012 and a budget of R18 billion has been set aside for construction and enlargement of many additional dams.
ENERGY
Electrification has improved by 5% to reach coverage of 77.9% since 2009 and about R46 billion will be used to expand the capacity of Eskom. There are several projects in the production of green energy that have been undertaken.
PORTS
More than R80 billion will be spent on the refurbishment of the Durban and Richards Bay ports, the major project being the construction of the dug-out port and container terminal in Durban. Many ancillary opportunities will arise from the additional investments in automotive supplier park and petro-chemical industries.
RAIL
Massive railway line, railway stations, and rail safety signals upgrade programs are going on in the north south corridor in Durban. Work has started in several areas and will link up Dube trade Port.
LED
Special economic zones will be constructed in the different district to stimulate local economic development and promote small business development.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND AGRICULTURE
There is a strong emphasis on rural development, food security and agrarian reform, through the one home one garden campaign, an investment in massification of crop production, mechanisation programme and revival of livestock. The idea is to improve market access and create sustainable agriculture and improve productivity of reclaimed farms. Good progress has been recorded. Rural development relocated to the office of the Premier, will receive a special focus to generate economic development in rural areas and create multiple nodes of development and reduce the migration to urban centres.
EDUCATION
The quality of education remains the main challenges of the education system, but there are signs of improvement; the matric pass rate has increased by 10% between 2008 and 2011, while 95% of all Grade 1 have been through an early childhood development centre and the number of no-fee school has dramatically increased. A challenge remains the provision of skills development which needs to be scaled up drastically.
HEALTH
Health outcomes remain a challenge largely due to HIV infection. The ANC led government has mounted a response that has begun to bear fruit; the antiretroviral treatment reaches 500 000 people and prevention of mother to child transmission has plummeted to 2.8% from 22% in 2005 and over 2 million people have tested and know their status defaulter rates on Tuberculosis are declining. Male medical circumcision has reached over 100 000 males and the National Health Insurance will be piloted in two regions in the province.
CRIME
Work has been done to mobilise communities in the fight against crime strengthening local community safety structures. Government records improvement tough we have still a long way to go. We remain concerned that a lot needs to be done to strengthen the justice and crime prevention cluster especially the quality of the intelligence.
OPERATION SUKUMA SAKHE
Community mobilisation to fight crime, corruption, drug and substance abuse, teenage pregnancy in a programme that integrates government departments in the fight against poverty has been designed in the Operation Sukuma Sakhe. The youth ambassadors have been introduced to work with youth in peer education. This approach will revolutionise service delivery, and maximise contact with our people and must be encouraged. Every ward has a war room in which all our members are encouraged to participate as part of the community and make an impact in bringing government to the people.
LOCAL ELECTIONS
Winning the national and provincial elections that mobilised about 2 million voters to support the ANC, represented the highest number of votes ever cast for a single political party in the history of our province. The ANC approached local elections with the same determination: to win all the municipalities it had been controlling, gain a minimum of three new district municipalities and increase the number of local municipalities where the district council could not be won and lastly increase votes in all wards.
The new way in which municipal councillors were selected and dissatisfaction with candidates and intense lobbying resulted in huge disruptions, marches, appeals and blockading of roads by dissatisfied supporters. Intensive engagements and arrival of the NEC Commisssion helped to quieten the din. There are already calls for the findings to be released.
ANC VICTORY
The results were again a reflection of an overwhelming support -in eThekwini, Ugu, Sisonke, uMgungundlovu, aMajuba and Ilembe, the ANC won all local and district municipalities and won all or the majority of wards. In the history of this province, no party ever made such an achievement in these councils. In the remaining four districts the ANC was the largest party in uThukela, uMkhanyakude, uMzinyathi, and uThungulu with many councils being hung. This necessitated a governing partnership with the National Freedom Party which now controls the Zululand District Municipality. In a win-win formula, the ANC has appointed 52 mayors and corresponding Speaker positions. For completeness sake, I may add that 6 mayors were appointed by the NFP and 3 are from the IFP.
MAKING MUNICIPALITIES WORK BETTER
The ANC has taken a keen interest in the governance of municipal councils. ANC Local government summits are regularly hosted to ensure that the ANC intervenes to pre-empt collapse of municipality. This is over and above the responsibility of the Departments of Treasury and Co-operative Governance and traditional Affairs. The ANC processes have assisted the ANC to take political decisions where necessary to restore normality in councils. The government has similar responsibilities and the ANC applies the rule without any fear or favour in accordance with the constitution.
GOVERNING PARTNERSHIP
There is a degree of instability in municipalities where there are ANC-NFP tensions. Some arise where councillors had bad relationship while they were part of IFP and this continues in the new party despite the agreement. There are instances where the ANC councillors are weak leaders themselves, resulting in conflict that could have been better managed. Despite the teething problems and minor incidences of disruptions, this relationship remains the best arrangement. It would not be possible with the IFP since in the past fifteen years the IFP distanced itself and never took responsibility for the conduct of its leaders in local councils. This was the reason the invitation of IFP members into an ANC led provincial government was terminated. We had been there before, though there had never been any such agreement.
ANC RELATIONS WITH AMAKHOSI
The relationship with traditional leaders has improved. This was encouraged by the formation and re-launch of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa in the KwaZulu-Natal province. There is still the concern about individual amakhosi whose conduct and utterances in formal platforms deal with government as though they represent opposition parties. We encourage our regional leadership to engage with amakhosi to improve the relationship between them and the ANC as well as councillors for the good of service delivery. We shall continue to work together with CONTRALESA especially to promote rural development. Of course, all amakhosi will be involved.
PEACE AND POLITICAL TOLERANCE
KwaZulu-Natal continues to enjoy a climate of peace and political tolerance. Debates in legislature, councils and in media are robust but are a reflection a maturing democracy. The relationship with all political parties is cordial and respectful. The relationship between the Minority Front and ANC remained good after Mr Rajbansi retired from cabinet. His death was a sad loss for the legislature. The relations remain unchanged. The ANC and NFP hold regular meetings to manage the municipal council issues. The tensions do not exist except at certain specific councils, but also limited. It is however important for ANC members to note that our agreement are only about cooperation in governance. There is no inhibition in recruitment of members across the parties and there is no provision for dual membership.
The NFP is not the IFP and their conduct is different. There has been no serious violent clash amongst members of ANC and NFP and supporters except one incident in Estcourt which is being investigated. However tensions between the IFP and NFP are frequent and have erupted into violence in T section in uMlazi and KwaMashu. Violent clashes between ANC and IFP members have ceased since a multi-party committee of government has visited all hotspots in Greytown, Nongoma. The latest incident in which NFP members were killed is suspected to be internal. The Democratic Alliance remains a small party that poses no electoral threat. When both the NFP and DA leaders threatened to take over KwaZulu-Natal in the next election, they were trying to inspire their members not to feel discouraged by the support that the ANC has received. They are free to dream, and the ANC will defend their freedom for daydreaming!
UNITY IN THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
President Zuma has dealt expensively with issues of unity in the ANC, quoting President O.R. Tambo - unity is a running theme in the addresses of president of the ANC.
The ANC in the province has operated as a cohesive unit that has been effective in guiding the members and supporters in the fulfilment of the ANC's mission to unite all the people of South Africa, black people in general and Africans in particular around a programme to improve their lives and build a national democratic society. Unity in the ANC cannot be over-emphasized. As President O.R. Tambo put it "unity is the rock upon which the ANC was founded".
Unity refers to working together, cooperatively for common purpose. Unity requires discipline, mutual respect, openness and trust. Unity is about agreeing to a joint programme of action and working together to ensure its successful implementation. Unity is not about agreeing on any issue without debate and gullibly swallowing information without analysis and questioning. Unity is about exercising tolerance to divergent views and accommodating different suggestions and not forcing undigested ideas for implementation without comprehension. Unity is not blind loyalty to follow without ascertaining yourself about the correctness of the direction to which you are led.
Unity is about being principled not to oppose for the sake of opposing; not to reject logical reasoning because of personal attitudes that have no bearing to the subject matter under discussion. Contradicting the tabled proposal is not disunity where the aim is to explore alternative strategies to achieve the agreed objective.
Unity means encouraging participation for each one to contribute to the decisions being taken in such a manner that people with opposing views openly exchange their ideas and debate their differences without feeling that they belong to different sides but rather are members of the same team exploring different aspects of a common challenge in order to agree on a common solution or programme. Unity is about encouraging a sense of belonging and recognition of the unique contribution brought by each member's unique experience, to enable all to defend a democratic decision irrespective of their original views at the beginning of the conversation. That is democratic centralism, as stated by President in his address. Differing views have been welcomed as the catalyst for a lively debate. Welcoming open debate and tolerance for opposing views has helped to eliminate suspicions and has become an antidote to factional politics. In that way a healthy spirit of interaction is preserved when everyone's views are heard and any view can be challenged. The approach has improved communication, improved the understanding amongst comrades and created an atmosphere of open and frank debates and encouraged leaders at all levels to be approachable thus undermined formation of camps and ‘caucuses'. The message has been strong, factionalism must be destroyed, camps and caucuses must be disbanded.
This approach has meant extensive political debate and engagement in the leadership structures where all issues are open for questioning and no matter is too sensitive for robust engagement. It is an approach that has helped to focus leadership on areas of concern, solving them before they escalate to confrontations and ossified factional positions.
RELATIONS WITH THE LEAGUES
The relationship between the mother body, the ANC Women's League, the Veterans league and the Youth League has remained healthy. Many thorny issues have been processed by the leadership to enable all the leagues to play their historic role in strengthening our movement. This relationship is guided by the policy of the ANC, it is not a relationship between different independent organisations.
The Leagues have all been deeply involved in all programmes of the ANC and made valuable contributions to the success whether the programme was integrated within the programmes of the mother body or organised separately as a League program. The provincial leadership has had extensive engagements with mother body and ANCYL at national level. The provincial ANC remains unconvinced about the need for the suspension of the ANCYL PEC. This matter remains unresolved, however we hope that should not be for long.
MKMVA
Umkhonto WeSizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) has continued to play an active and increasingly significant role as an integral part of the African National Congress, assisting the ANC in implementing the conference resolutions in resolving the plight of ex-combatants, honouring the heroes of our struggle and strengthening the programmes of the ANC. MKMVA has assisted greatly in resolving many matters that faced the ex-combatants and the ANC in general.
TRIPARTITE ALLIANCE
Similarly the relationship of the ANC and its Alliance has been excellent at the provincial level. The Alliance Secretariat has operated well in processing issues that require attention and resolution and has maintained regular structured meetings. The Alliance Political Council, consisting of all the Office bearers of the African National Congress, South African Communist Party, Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African National Civic Organisation has been effective in debating issues to determine the appropriateness of Alliance posture and programmes of action to the situation we face. A few times sensitive issues have been resolved which if were not handled properly could have spilled over to lower structures and created confusion and irreparable harm amongst the Alliance Partners. There have been times where as a result of Alliance Partners being independent and autonomous organisations, the differences surfaced in the public arena. However, such matters have been handled with this understanding and never resulted in what may appear to be irreconcilable differences. Many joint programmes have been successfully implemented and many others are in the pipeline, giving meaning to the assertion that ‘ours is not an alliance written in a piece of paper, but it is an Alliance written in blood and sweat and was forged in the trenches of our struggle.'
The leadership has focussed on confronting all issues that required discussion and resolution, consulting with its Alliance in consolidating programmes to transform our province.
KwaZulu-Natal looks forward to welcoming the National Congress of the SACP to be hosted at the University of Zululand in the next few weeks. We wish the SACP success. We agree that a strong and united SACP is good for the ANC and its Alliance.
REGIONAL STRUCTURES
The relationship between Alliance regional structures is less than optimal. The Alliance Political Council has resolved that the Alliance Secretariat host a conference of regional secretaries to bring this relationship to a sound footing. Failure to do this has the effect of creating tensions that spill into the workings within each component due to the overlapping activities and cross membership in the components of the Alliance.
The ANC has encouraged a spirit of open debate and tolerance of different views at branch level. This will require more work to be done since the regularity of aggressive and often abrasive campaigns in frequent democratic elections of various structures tend to erode on the cohesiveness, without allowing divisions to heal before the next campaign is undertaken.
LEADERS MURDERED IN ETHEKWINI
The death of three regional leaders in eThekwini region was not only a severe setback but it posed a serious threat to regional stability in the biggest region and the city that drives the economy of the entire province. The death of the Chairperson was untimely but due to natural causes. To avoid this instability, a task team was formed led by the Deputy Chair, PEC members and the veterans to steer this massive region towards a uniting conference since the deaths of Comrades Sbu Sibiya and Z. Mshibe was a cold blooded assassination. We have to salute the whole team together with leadership of the region and branches for delivering the peaceful conference. The question still remains: Who did it and Why? We shall only rest when the full story is told. We commend the police on the work they have done but wish to see speed in the resolution of the matter.
MEMBERSHIP GROWTH
The ANC has shown impressive growth in its support with eThekwini being the largest region. We were humbled that KwaZulu-Natal was cited as contributed 244 000, the largest provincial membership to the One Million Membership mark in accordance with the resolutions of 1942 conference. An aggressive programme of political development and induction of elected leadership is in place to ensure that we build quality membership that will add value in taking the ANC to the future. The branches of the ANC must be the centre of political activity. They must ensure inclusivity, representing the whole spectrum of young and senior members of society as well as experienced activists and newly recruited members, as a sign of balanced growth. There is need to ensure openness and not creating branches that are located around a small clique of individuals who resist entry of new minds into the branch.
EMERGING CHALLENGES
We have to work hard to strengthen the ANC and restore its image and effectiveness as a vehicle for fundamental political, social and economic transformation. In the last term of office, the ANC PEC mounted a strong campaign to discourage unpalatable and foreign tendencies (referred to in 2002 NGC as: corruption, careerism and opportunism) in any structures that stand to undermine the credibility of the ANC. These tendencies are as a result of the changing environment where there is access to resources. Even though they may not be features of the ANC in our province they remain symptoms of an organization beginning to self-destruct and will also have a significant impact in the future of our movement. They have to be confronted and stamped out wherever such tendency appears; as reflected below:
Uncontrollable desire to accumulate wealth in a manner that creates conflict of interest, abuse of positions of authority and sliding to fraud and corruption. This causes challenges for deployees to be accused and causes citizens to lose hope in the elected leadership. The temptation to manipulate procurement systems is growing. In some cases the accusation of micro-management by the political leadership has had its basis in this tendency. Fraud and corruption remain the cancer that cannot be allowed to subvert government systems and risk the ANC being labelled soft on corruption. Some of these tendencies tend to spill to our constitutional structures creating impression of leaders trying to use structures for self-defence or cover up. That, we cannot allow! The recent Afrobarometer report published by IDASA report on the attitudes of society indicates a significant increase in the perceptions of corruption amongst elected representatives. A large number that do not approach elected representatives to seek solutions to their problems.
Greed and scramble for resources has been observed where elected and deployed cadres lose focus on the programme of the ANC and spend time quarrelling amongst themselves as they compete for access to resources resulting in the paralysis of a structure of government or a constitutional structure. Very often this has resulted in a slinging match of ANC members that fight openly much to the amazement of both supporters and opposition alike as the gory details of their dirty encounters are turned into headlines and sound bites. In our case the ANC has not hesitated to act on party members where it was clear that personal interests were the cause of infighting and good governance was compromised. People have been removed from positions and disciplinary hearing initiated.
Ill-discipline and emergence of a culture of defiance and disrespect of leadership, constitutional structures and policy decisions of the organization and its members are slowly leading to emergence of dysfunctional structures. There are members who have deliberately flouted rules of the organization, persistently disregarding any guidance which itself is rejected with derogatory remarks about elected leadership. This has resulted in the erosion of the credibility of its leadership and the ability to maintain internal discipline and spirit of comradeship and respect in the community. The ANC has not hesitated to act decisively including expulsions as it did in the case of those who brought the ANC into disrepute by holding a sit-in and hurled insults in Moses Mabhida region as well as those who stood against ANC candidates in local government elections. It is in this regard and in line with the decisions of the National General Council that we support the decisions of the National Disciplinary Committee and those of the National disciplinary Committee of Appeal in decisions taken to expel some of the members of the ANC Youth League.
Erosion of knowledge of the ANC values of revolutionary morality defining the character of our leadership where individual takes responsibility for their conduct is increasing. It is not only newly recruited members but sometimes the seasoned cadre who is found to be at fault.
Gossip mongering, spreading lies and disinformation to manipulate decision making processes in favour of personal interests has been noted to be the underlying cause for disunity and conflict in some structures. If left unattended this tendency remains one of the most explosive time bombs that will destroy our structures. These have to be always confronted and the source identified and the rumour quashed to allow normal life back to the organization, especially because of the rapidity with which the rumours get churned out. The ANC and its Alliance have utilised this firm approach to deal with information peddlers and gossip mongers who continually test the maturity of the Alliance leadership with strategic briefings and leaks spread by anonymous sources to gullible elements of the media. A number of unfounded plots and highly imaginative theories from succession to assassination, all of which are non-existent have tested our unity and dismally failed.
Sowing seeds of division and conflict to disrupt structures and setting comrades on each other has been seen in areas where comrades have no fundamental policy or ideological differences. The difficulty in the resolution of such conflict is often a reflection of the fact that material but not political reasons are the basis for the conflict being deliberately orchestrated.
Manipulation of autonomy of structures including the Leagues and Alliance to further individual interests and abusing these structures to fight personal battles has emerged as another area of concern. Powerful lobbies for personal and business interests have tendency to target constituent parts of our movement and unjustifiably turn them against structures of governance to achieve desired outcomes. Money or promise of future financial gain has been frequently alleged to be the main culprit vehicle used. Political development is the only way to empower cadres to enable them to face up to unethical approaches to their own offices or structures.
Unprincipled fight for positions and erosion of the culture of members freely electing its leaders has created characters referred to as ‘oNDIKHETHENI' - those who go around saying "comrade I am available". These are the people that get driven by intense desire for the elected position and stage disruptive fight to win at all cost, irrespective of the reluctance of the community. These individuals are prepared to fight everything on their way and will sacrifice the unity and independence of the structures to get the position they are coveting. This phenomenon was so rife during the local government elections that one could swear that the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal had reached the end of the world. As soon as decisions were finalised, everything has settled. Partly the fact that elections to counsilor positions may be the nearest option for employment may explain this problem. It however means that the ANC must review the manner of electing local representatives to bring in stability in this area.
Protest actions directed against ANC-led institutions have displayed a mixed bag of tendencies. On the one side the insensitivity of deployees and government officials including perceptions of corruption have fuelled community frustrations and led to these explosions. There are however instances where internal divisions, opportunistic and unscrupulous contests for positions have been identified as the real cause of protests wherein known ANC leaders and members have been seen leading the assault often in the name of concerned citizens. Our leadership and membership of the ANC should otherwise give us access to all those in power to be able to timeously correct any wrong doing. Inability to correct matters internally suggests that our structures may be dysfunctional. The ANC has insisted that all public representations must host izimbizo and public meetings to stay in touch with our people to explain and guide since often lack of communication is a factor.
Use of government positions or business profits to undermine autonomy of our structures and subvert democratic processes takes advantage of the high unemployment amongst the membership. Those in control of financial resources cannot be allowed to hijack our movements through patronage allowing them influence not based on the democratic ethos of our movement. If this tendency is allowed, it will undermine the independence and objectivity of our structures. It will also erode the political oversight that our people need to hold all leaders accountable.
Membership fraud-- We have noticed instances of fraudulent membership where money is paid to represent non-existent membership or sponsored membership, where members are paid for in order to support particular positions as voting fodder. The above is sometimes linked to manipulation of membership systems to create fake majority or to subvert quorums and frustrate members known to disagree with a particular view point; all of which represents the subversion of internal democratic processes. This leads to the permanent sense of injustice and permanent grief that leads to people adopting unfamiliar and unacceptable tactics to find redress.
EMPHASIS ON DISCIPLINE
The ANC must emphasise the enduring values of our movement viz: humility, integrity, honour, diligence, respect, sacrifice, selflessness, readiness to learn and correct mistakes.
The ANC has to invest resources to increase discipline amongst its members. Members must learn more about the heroes of our struggle and leaders of our movement to develop a sense of purpose and contextualise their involvement in the ANC. This will help reduce the above tendencies as people understand patriotism, love for the people and the idea of a greater calling to become a humble servant of the people
Discipline means the ability to control oneself; to be confined only to the approved and expected conduct in the absence of external force or constraint. Discipline is ability to be guided by honour and integrity to show respect on something which one is not entitled to; not to take advantage of weaknesses or poor controls and not to unfairly benefit from a situation entrusted to one's care. This state of being requires deep loyalty to the greater cause.
Discipline is about the preparedness of individuals to subject themselves to the ideal of the greater good for all as opposed to personal immediate gratification. For ANC members this means respecting the ANC and the ANC‘s constitution and be subjected to its policies and decisions and subject oneself to the ANC being larger than individual interest. People who are assigned to public office or position of leadership must respect the resources and interest of the public. Discipline means respecting all members and giving others space to perform as assigned by the movement.
Discipline means taking instructions from a legitimate structure and to perform as expected and thereafter finding space to raise objections. Discipline means to be humble enough to accept criticism and corrections irrespective of the position occupied by the person who is offering the advice. It means maturity to apologise and accept if you do wrong. Only a disciplined ANC can lead a revolution to transform society. As the President stated, the ANC cannot be arrogant, undermining others because of its size. This applies to individuals as well as the collective posture of ANC structures, leaders or components. Discipline is what differentiates between militancy and anarchy.
POINTERS TO THE FUTURE
The ANC must focus on strengthening political development and invest in deepening discipline within the ranks. The resolutions calling on the ANC to be the first one to speak out and act firmly against corruption needs to be emphasised. Discipline must be the basis on which cadres are evaluated so that ill-discipline, corruption and other deviant conduct is seen as an offence against the ANC and society and strong action is taken. The 2002 NGC called for the creation of a new cadre. It is such a cadre that can carry the sentiments of the national democratic society we desire to achieve in the future.
The lessons from Centenary celebrations indicate that it was the discipline, integrity and exemplary conduct of our leaders and the membership which ensured that the ANC survives for a hundred years. That is the proven formula.
It is important to emphasise that the attainment of a united, free, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa is an ideal that every South African is entitled to.
DEFEAT THE TRIPLE CHALLENGES
Our main task as the African National Congress is to mobilise the state resources and make our society realise that inability to defeat the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality, defers the attainment of this ideal. Defeating this triple challenge will eradicate the legacy of colonial oppression and apartheid. Until then, there are masses in our society to whom freedom and democracy would have no meaning as their conditions will have remained unchanged many years after apartheid was overthrown. We acknowledge that the first centenary of the ANC was founded on political emancipation and the second centenary must form an economic emancipation. This has now been termed the second transition.
A few important considerations need be understood.
NATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Firstly that our country requires a long term plan for economic growth that will unlock the potential of our country and make resources available to defeat poverty, create jobs and reduce inequality. This multi-year plan has to be understood and supported by government and private sector as well as civil society. At some point debates must stop an unhindered implementation commences.
The President has tabled this in the form of the National Development plan and the Infrastructure Revolution tabled by the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission. This plan must be endorsed and be adopted as a country plan that does not depend on the whim of whosoever is in power at the time. It must the country's long term view, fully supported by the ANC conference as well.
EFFICIENT SERVICE DELIVERY
The second consideration is ensuring good governance and efficient service delivery. Current services to our people are focussed on the basic services that improve the lives of ordinary people. This is what people go out to cast their votes for. These must continue to be provided speedily. They will have impact on the quality of life, reduce susceptibility to diseases and improve life expectancy. These services will begin to bridge the gap between rich and poor, urban and rural, breaking barriers of prejudices and historical disadvantages and integrate society in the medium term. Elimination of crime and massive education and skills development will change the country drastically. We have to demonstrate extreme intolerance against fraud and corruption and wasteful expenditure of resources.
REVIVE THE BEST OF HUMAN VALUES
The third consideration is about emphasising the values of a future democratic society based on equality guaranteed by a constitutional democracy. Something needs to be done to rebuild the soul of our society and inculcate the best of human values. It is important to rekindle the vision of an ideal society which is peaceful, democratic, compassionate, caring, with honour and integrity.
In this regard, the ANC needs to reactivate the partnership with civil society, religious formations such as the churches, etc; Non-governmental organisations, youth and student groups and private sector and professional bodies to buy into a new programme to move our country to the next phase of our struggle.
We have conducted Branch General Meetings and Regional Conferences to prepare for the Policy Conference of the ANC in June and the National Conference in December.
We urge all delegates to carefully read and analyse the policy documents and prepare their branches for a contribution that will take the ANC forward. It is quite clear it is not much of new policies that the ANC needs. It is the implementation we must focus on. We accept the President's instruction to make a humble but quality contribution in the 53rd Conference in Mangaung.
"UNITY IN DIVERSITY: FORWARD WITH RESTORATION OF ORGANISATIONAL VALUES & THE ACCELERATION OF THE TRANSFORMATION AGENDA"
INDLELA ICACILE MAQABANE.
IN CONCLUSION:
There are two immediate tasks for the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal. Firstly, it is to revive all branches not in good standing, pushing up membership. We must grow the ANC above the current 25200 members. There are many seasoned activists who are inactive; bring them back to strengthen the ANC. We must focus on all the young people - children of a free South Africa who were born when Madiba was President must come in, grow in the ANC and inherit their movement. KwaZulu-Natal must go into a membership drive to up the 300 000 member mark.
Secondly, we must prepare for victory in 2014. The ANC will retain support as the leading party of government. All public representatives must get to the ground to explain our policies and programmes at grass root level. Branches must go out to mobilise support for the ANC.
We don't want a leadership that will only see voters on election campaigns. We want leaders to be there when the community has complaints, grievances and are suffering. People area suffering and need us on the ground. The ANC must work to retain all the support we scored in 2009 and 2011. Where the ANC is part of hung municipalities, we must consolidate and ensure the ANC remains an undisputed leader in all municipalities. Remember comrades that success belongs to those who see victory before the battle begins.
Forward ever
Backward never
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We must thank the President, the Secretary General and the whole NEC for all the support. A special word of gratitude goes to the Convener of NEC Deployees and all the deployees to our province for support. We did not cause you any trouble comrades.
A word of gratitude to all the Leagues and Alliance partners.
I wish the incoming leadership well in their term of office. For me this has been the most rewarding term and I wish to thank my comrades in the PEC for all the support. If this PEC has done well on any aspect, it was because of the good spirit of comradeship that prevailed.
Special praise goes to Deputy Chair, iChunu, the PSO, Khuzeni and Nyamazane now and Mcingwana at the beginning of the term; Mabhedla the Treasurer.
The Centenary team led by Dinangwe, Mphemba, the veterans and MKMVA. WE must thank all regional leadership for all the support to the PEC. Without such support we could be no where.
We thank all branches, as the song says, we know AMANDLA ASEMASEBENI.
To all our spouses and partners, family members, children and grand children, we love you all and the ANC loves you. Continue supporting the ANC.
AMANDLA!!!!
ANC LIVES!
ANC LEADS!
Issued by the ANC KwaZulu-Natal, May 11 2012
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