The National Executive Committee, the highest decision-making structure of the organisation between National Conferences, executed its functions as stipulated by the Constitution. The NEC provided direction and leadership to the organisation, and NEC members generally performed the tasks expected of them with commitment and enthusiasm.

NEC Meetings

Meetings of the NEC were held according to the requirements of the Constitution. The NEC also met as required by political or organisational circumstances. The NEC met on the following dates:

1995

25-26 February
24-25 April
21-23 July
2-3 September
29-30 September
8-9 December

1996

9 February
23-24 March
11-12 May
16-18 August
30 September
9-10 November

1997

16-19 January
11-13 April
11-13 July
2 November
14-15 November

Critical areas of deliberation in the NEC included:

• the election of the National Working Committee;
• the appointment of NEC Committees;
• the adoption of strategic plans and programmes of work on an annual basis;
• the development each year of the January 8th Statement;
• annual evaluation of the state of organisation and performance in government;
• supervision of local government elections;
• political oversight of the constitutional development process and the sucessful adoption of the final constitution;
• discussion on reports of NEC Committees, their recommendations and their work;
• receiving reports and considering recommendations from the NWC, the Leagues and other ANC components.

The agenda of NEC meetings typically focused on three core areas – a political overview; organisational matters and governance matters. Other than in exceptional cases, all issues discussed at NEC level were processed through the NWC or relevant NEC Committee.

Isithwalandwe Seaparankoe Conferment

The Isithwalandwe Seaparankoe was awarded to Cde Joe Slovo at the 49th National Conference in Bloemfontein in December 1994. The medal was posthumously handed over to Cde Slovo`s family.

Correction

The Secretary General`s Report to the 1994 National Conference omitted the name of cde Ahmed Kathrada as one of the recipients of the Isithwalandwe Seaparankoe award at the 80th Anniversary of the ANC in Bloemfontein in January 1992. The error is regretted.

Commissions appointed by the NEC

As part of its function, the NEC established the following commissions of inquiry into issues which required detailed attention:

• Mti Commission into the ANC Women`s League
• Commission of Inquiry regarding Cde Vax Mayekiso

NEC Resignations

The following comrades resigned from the NEC during the period under review. The NEC accepted their resignation with regret:

• Thozamile Botha
• John Gomomo
• Sam Shilowa

Cde Cyril Ramaphosa resigned as Secretary General effective from the finalisation of the new Constitution. The NEC appointed Cde Cheryl Carolus as Acting Secretary General until National Conference.

Cooption of additional members

The following comrades were co-opted by the NEC:

• Brigitte Mabandla
• Thoko Msane Didiza
• Nosiviwe Maphisa Nqakula
• Chris Dlamini

NEC Expulsions

The NEC meeting of 30 September 1996 upheld the decision of the National Disciplinary Committee to expel NEC member Bantu Holomisa from the ANC, for bringing the organisation into disrepute.

Deaths

The NEC, and the movement, was deprived of the valued contributions of the following comrades:

• Joe Slovo, died on 5 January 1995
• Harry Gwala, died on 20 June 1995

Inactive due to diplomatic postings

The following comrades were posted to diplomatic missions abroad during the course of their term of office, and were therefore unable to continue participating in NEC activities:

• Chris Dlamini
• Raymond Mhlaba
• Ruth Mompati
• Carl Niehaus
• Raymond Suttner

Functioning of the NEC

The NEC generally met at least four times a year on dates scheduled at the beginning of each year. The NEC was on a number of occassions, however, convened on short notice to address pressing matters.

Some NEC members found it difficult to attend regularly due to other commitments, especially travel on government business.

The link with provinces and the voice of provinces can be strengthened in the NEC through more effective deployment of NEC members and ensuring a much better spread of provinces in the election of NEC members. The provinces also need to provide more effective feedback on the perfomance of NEC members deployed to their province.

Members of the NEC have thus far only been deployed geographically – to provinces. Serious consideration needs to be given to sectoral deployment to bolster the ANC`s commitment to building better relations and communication with civil society in general and the democratic forces in particular.

NATIONAL WORKING COMMITTEE

The National Working Committee, elected by the NEC in February 1995, met fortnightly for the duration of its term of office. The NWC was responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the organisation at a national level, for coordinating the work of the NEC and the NEC committees, and overseeing the implementation of NEC decisions.

The NWC played a hands-on role during the writing of the new Constitution, and was called upon to resolve numerous pressing matters on an ad hoc basis. The NWC often had to take decisive action to preserve the integrity and unity of the organisation. All NWC decisions were reported to the NEC, and subject to the NEC`s approval.

A large number of NWC members had other major responsibilities, while some members` responsibilities increased during their term. This obviously had an impact on the functioning of the NWC. In part, this was a result of an NEC whose members were generally over-extended.

NEC Committees

The NEC established a number of Committees to facilitate the coordination of organisational and policy matters. This was a major initiative in restructuring the work of the NEC. The performance of these committees has been varied, although most have managed to meet regularly and impact on the effectiveness of the NEC.

The NEC Committees and the Chairs are: