Media Advisory

I begin by acknowledging that today is the 39th anniversary of the funeral of the Cradock Four which took place on 20 July 1985 at the height of the struggle against Apartheid. Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata,

On Thursday 18th July 2024, the President delivered his Opening of Parliament Address outlining the priorities of the 7th Administration of our democratic state. This takes place in the context of the establishment of a Government of National Unity, necessitated by electoral outcomes that required cooperation across the political spectrum to improve the lives of all citizens.

The Opening of Parliament Address, and the debate by all political parties in response to the Address raised important programmes that the 7th Administration and Parliament will be seized with in the coming five years.

The ANC welcomes the immediate priorities identified by the President’s Opening of Parliament Address, which reflect the priorities identified by the ANC in its 2024 Manifesto, to advance the building of a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa. The three strategic priorities outlined by the President, responds to the most burning challenges facing our nation and its people.

After 30 years of democracy, South Africa made progress on building a dynamic, inclusive, non-racial, non-sexist and vibrant system of governance, with strong democratic institutions aimed at meeting basic needs, investing in people and transforming the economy.

At the same time, the quality of basic services, the link between the people and government, crime and corruption, land and agrarian reforms, and persistent and deep fault lines of poverty, inequality and unemployment remain challenges, which requires urgent attention.

As we have all acknowledged , the national economy has stagnated in terms of economic expansion, economic transformation and inclusion, thus failing to produce the income and wealth distribution envisioned by the National Democratic Revolution. Persistent low rates of investment, de-industrialisation and relocations of industrial bases have all conspired to undermine the framework for sustainable employment creation in the country. These economic challenges have significantly hindered our progress toward achieving equitable and inclusive growth and development.

The liberation of Africans in particular and Black people in general from political and economic bondage, uplifting the quality of life all South Africans, especially the working class and poor, the majority of whom are Africans and female remains at the centre of ANC policy.

The debate by all represented political parties on the Opening of Parliament Address indicates consensus on the triple challenges facing the people and our country: unemployment, poverty and inequality. Of course, given the ideological range represented in Parliament there will be disagreement, represented in the colourful rhetoric and pretences we heard yesterday.

Thus some, for their own survival and exposing their political bankruptcy, wants to present the ANC as having sold out the people, when their own ethno-nationalism, backwardness and inconsistency constitute a betrayal of the people. Even during the 6th Administration, they consistently voted with the party they now despise, against progressive policies introduced by the ANC. They now are in a so-called Progressive Coalition with others of their ilk, yet all they represent is a push-back against the vision of a united, non-racial, democratic, non-sexist and prosperous South Africa.

On the other extreme of the spectrum of liberal conservatism, there are those with us who cannot deny the moral and just cause of redress as set out by the Constitution of the Republic. And yet, they continue to want cling to their privileges, to deny universal health coverage to the majority, and to prevent our schools from providing equal opportunities to all.

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The ANC, 112th years since its formation, remains steadfast in its commitment to the cause of the people. It is for this reason that it frankly admits where it made mistakes and self-corrects. It remains the only force in the country which consistently advocates and work for unity, nation-building, non-racialism, and non-sexism, and will not be deterred, despite setbacks. It remains unfaltering in its mission to build a National Democratic Society, through a thorough-going programme of social and economic transformation.

It is for these reasons, having resolved on the option of a Government of National Unity as the least risky option we ensured that the minimum programme of such a GNU and 7th administration reflected the priorities of the ANC Manifesto. All 10 parties who signed the Statement of Intent committed themselves to this minimum programme which now finds expression in the President’s Opening of Parliament Address.

The priorities outline by the President are firmly grounded on the 6 priorities outlined in the ANC Manifesto, which also informed the minimum programme of the ANC-led Government of National Unity.

The ANC 2024 Manifesto is designed to continue the process of building a National Democratic Society, by getting South Africa on track to achieve the overarching national goals of Eradicating Poverty and Reducing Inequality.

Our country’s policy trajectory remains firmly grounded on the National Development Plan 2030, which informs all our efforts to improve the lives of all South Africans, especially the working class and poor, the majority of whom are Africans and female, and fundamentally the liberation of Africans in particular and Black people in general from political and economic bondage.

The three priorities announced by the President which will inform government’s detailed Medium-Term Development Plan, firmly buttress our 6 priorities.

The President outlined plans that seek to give practical expression to these priorities.

Priority no 1: Put South Africa to work

• Focus on social employment is an important building block in creating sustainable livelihoods. We have no doubt that continued focus and expansion of current interventions such as the Presidential Employment Stimulus, the Expanded Public Works Programme and similar interventions will yield the desired results and

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create a multiplier effect in uplifting our people out of abject poverty. We are equally encouraged by the focus on job opportunities and skills development targeting young people which will directly address the plight of youth unemployment.

• Building on progress that has been made by the 6th Administration, the ANC in government will double its efforts in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in townships and rural areas alongside harnessing the economic potential of the informal sector for inclusive growth and job creation.

Priority no 2: Building our industries for an inclusive economy

• The ANC welcomes the government’s commitment to a smart industrial policy that focuses on the competitiveness of our economy which incentivises businesses to expand our exports and create jobs. This is in line with the ANC’s commitment to Advance industrialisation as a driver of economic transformation, with active support for localisation, and high growth and labour intensive industries.

• The beneficiation of our minerals is a long established policy of the ANC which must be given urgent attention. We are pleased by the President’s commitment that this is a priority of the 7th Administration, which will undoubtedly transform our economy and spur its growth.

• Giving impetus to the implementation of Master Plans developed for various industries, advancing the green economy, which includes support for the manufacturing of electronic vehicles are important priorities that build on the progress of the 6th Administration.

• Black economic empowerment and support for those on the fringes of the economy remain central pillars of government policy and we welcome government’s commitment to this effect.

• The implementation of the Freight Logistics Roadmap is a critical building block in growing the economy and ensuring that we improve the competitiveness of our economy and play a lead role in giving practical expression to the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.

  Priority No 3: Tackling the high cost of living

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• Our manifesto placed emphasis in making interventions that tackle the high cost of living, which includes prioritising food security through broadening the basket of basic goods that are VAT exempt and land reform amongst others.

• The ANC in government will not compromise on the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) to make quality health care affordable and available to all.

• The ANC has committed to expanding the Social Relief of Distress grant and government commitment to this effect will go a long way in broadening the social security net for those who have no other means to support themselves. This will go a long way in bolstering our arsenal of interventions aimed at lifting people out of poverty.

  Priority No. 4: Invest in people

• The President made an unequivocal commitment to investing in our people by meeting the basic needs of all, investing in education, improving health outcomes and improving service delivery.

• This also includes ensuring that the skills, capabilities, resources and energies of all South Africans are used to the greatest effect.

  Priority No. 5: Defend democracy and advance freedom

  Our commitment to protecting and upholding the hard-worn rights of workers remains unwavering. This is reflected in the President’s commitment in this regard. We are encouraged that government has committed to ensuring that the progress we have made in this regard is not eroded, while it continuously strives to improve their working conditions.

  Priority No. 6: Build a better Africa and World

• In our manifesto we had committed to Strengthen the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Through economic diplomacy, government has committed to the realisation of this goal to increase our exports to the rest of the continent.

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• We have similarly committed to advancing progressive internationalism and solidarity with the peoples of Palestine, Western Sahara, Cuba and others. The President made an unwavering commitment to promoting peace, security, democracy and development across Africa and through our country’s foreign policy, advance a more just and inclusive world order.

We are pleased that the ANC-led Government of National Unity has defined its electoral mandate in line with what we presented to the voters in our manifesto. It is equally an affirmation that there is more that unites us than what divides us. The various parties in the GNU may differ on tactics on how to achieve certain goals, but we are in agreement on the overarching objectives that are contained in the National Development Plan (NDP), which continues to guide the work of government.

ANC WELCOMES THE ADVISORY OPINION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

The African National Congress further welcomes the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

According to the opinion, Israel is obligated to cease its illegal occupation in Palestine promptly. The court has stated that Israel must withdraw without delay and provide reparations for the damages caused in Palestine. It is crucial to note that all countries are urged not to acknowledge Israel’s unlawful occupation or support its continuation.

As the ANC we have long held that the continued annexation and the occupation of Palestinian land is incongruent with international law. We have maintained that the Palestinian people have the right to a sovereign state.

Given that this opinion was requested by the United Nations General Assembly, it confirms the illegality of Israel’s occupation of Palestine, including violations of the crime of apartheid (a crime against humanity), and requires other nations to ensure Israel’s withdrawal and not assist in its occupation.

The ANC affirms its solidarity with the people of Palestine.

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The South African government has been unrelenting in the fight to defend the cause of peace, justice, solidarity and multilateralism in the international arena. Our unwavering commitment to a rules-based international order, justice and international law are expressed in our recent case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Our defense of the people of Palestine is at the same time an assertion of the rights and sovereignty of all oppressed peoples worldwide. Our position is a strong call for a global fight for human rights and the right to self- determination; as well as a categorical rejection of wars of aggression as legitimate means of solving political problems.

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ISSUED BY THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

Fikile Mbalula
SECRETARY-GENERAL

Zuko Godlimpi
Acting National Spokesperson
083 843 8446

Martina Della Togna
NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
082 355 3645