Media Statement

NEC MEETING 1 – 3 AUGUST 2024

The National Executive Committee (NEC) Meeting of the African National Congress (ANC) was convened from the 1st to 3rd August 2024 at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg. This was the first Ordinary meeting of the NEC after the 2024 National and Provincial Elections.

The NEC focused extensively on an analysis of the elections results, the ideological currents that are playing out in the country as expressed in the elections outcomes and the strategic issues that the ANC must focus on to defend and advance the agenda of progressive social transformation.

Elections Results and 2024 Moment

The ANC NEC characterised the outcomes of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections as a significant setback for the national democratic revolution since the 1994 democratic breakthrough. In the engagements with our Provinces as well as the ANC’s Alliance partners (SACP, COSATU and SANCO), this NEC conclusion has been reaffirmed as a correct characterization of the profound nature of the setback: significant, fundamental, and strategic.

In diagnosing the moment, the ANC NEC agrees that the national fault-lines of unemployment, inequality and poverty have persisted despite progress over the past thirty years, with serious negative impacts on all segments of the motive forces.

These fault-lines in our economy have been exacerbated over the last five years by crises such as the effect of the COVID pandemic, the impact of the July 2021 unrest, load-shedding, geopolitical tensions that have disrupted global supply chains and the resultant high cost of living.

The election results, which saw the ANC not receiving a decisive majority, were therefore as a result of three inter-related and intersecting factors: crisis of the economy and social reproduction, profound governance weaknesses and major organisational problems that can only be addressed through fundamental renewal.

South Africans were therefore unequivocal in expressing their disappointment and disapproval of our performance in these areas, giving rise to a crisis of democracy, with close to 25 million people not participating in the elections.

The 2024 moment requires from us to internalise the messages from our people, and to self- correct.

The principal crisis confronting the national democratic revolution is a national economy that reproduces inequality, poverty, under-development and slow levels of growth in a manner that frustrates the social circumstances of the urban working class, the middle class and especially the rural poor.

This characterisation of the electoral setback implies that it has strategic implications and far- reaching consequences on the conduct of the struggle, both in terms of how we govern the affairs of the organisation and how we govern the affairs of the country. It can therefore not be business as usual neither in the ANC nor in government.

As the party with the largest votes, the ANC seized both the tactical and strategic initiative and shaped a common understanding about the need for political parties to work together and voluntarily co-operate in setting up an inclusive, viable and stable government that will address people’s needs and advance the transformation agenda.

It became clear that no other party has the capacity and legitimacy of the ANC to give direction to the nation. Even those who were fiercely opposed to the movement during the elections started

to make frantic calls that South Africa needs the ANC in order to avoid a potential electoral stalemate. The coalition chaos, institutional instability and government dysfunction which has been the order of the day in our country’s municipal landscape must never be allowed to define the overall state of affairs in our country.

The ANC is in the driving seat of a more stable GNU that has adopted principles and a minimum programme derived from the Constitution of South Africa, ANC core documents such as the Freedom Charter as well as the ANC’s 2024 Elections Manifesto. The task now is for ANC members and leaders to conduct themselves with utmost humility, integrity and demonstrable competence in addressing the needs of the people.

The NEC resolved that we must use this moment to also shed all signs of complacency and arrogance; to be totally intolerant of corruption and incompetence. This moment will also require a more agile and dynamic ANC machinery that can hold individual deployees and leadership collectives accountable to specific outcomes in the ANC Manifesto. We must use the deployment to positions in the state for the sole purpose of pursuing the ideals of liberation to which millions remain committed.

The NEC recognises that the GNU is our best tactical intervention that provides us with a platform to defend the gains of freedom and advance the core elements of the ANC Manifesto.

The NEC is fully aware that the GNU is inherently with risks. This arises from the understanding that GNUs and Coalitions have inherent contradictions as contested governments composed of rival parties that have ideological and policy differences.

The balance of power and how the ANC emerges as a dominant political force in the long run will depend significantly on how we pursue a strategic course of action inside and outside government, mobilising the motive forces behind a clear programme action for progressive change. The NEC will put in place measures to ensure that the GNU is managed effectively in order to succeed in addressing the pressing challenges facing the people.

The ANC will be releasing the Strategic Perspective Document on the 2024 moment and the GNU to all of its structures as part of the process of briefing its members.

Having concluded that the election outcomes constitute a major setback, the NEC had a revolutionary duty to answer the next question: What is to be done?

IMPLEMENTING OUR MANIFESTO AND ACCOUNTABILITY, MONITORING AND EVALUATION FRAMEWORK

The Department of Policy Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (PMER) at headquarters, working with the Manifesto Monitoring Technical team of the Alliance, have developed an Outcomes and Accountability framework for our 2024 Manifesto.

The quarterly reports on implementation of our Manifesto will be submitted to the Secretary General’s Office (SGO). The SGO will be central in ensuring that all deployed cadres deliver on their mandates, with regularized assessment processes.

The NEC emphasized that pro-active monitoring and evaluation will constitute important tasks, given that the GNU will not be business as usual, to fulfill our electoral mandate entailed in the Elections Manifesto as well as ANC National Conference resolutions.

NATIONAL DIALOGUE

The NEC noted and welcomed that a National Dialogue will be convened post the ANC Lekgotla, as resolved by the ANC NEC, and recommended by various stalwarts such as former President Thabo Mbeki.

The National Dialogue will seek to foster national cohesion and social compact as we champion the NDR, consolidate the gains of democracy and accelerate realisation of the objectives of the National Democratic Society as highlighted in the ANC Strategy and Tactics document. The NEC fully supports the convening of the National Dialogue which must be led by the President as Head of State together with civil society. The modalities on how it will be convened will be worked out between the Presidency and civil society formations to ensure inclusivity and the maximum

reflection of the broadest cross-section of South Africa. This must include the rural poor, women, residents of informal settlements, social movements and the urban working class.

BRIEFINGS ON GNU NEGOTIATIONS

FORMAL REPORT-BACK TO AND ENGAGEMENTS WITH THE PROVINCES

The NEC noted and welcomed the fact that briefings on the GNU with all PECs were concluded. The NEC directed that the SGO must lead a visit to all regions across the country to brief regional structures and assess the state of the organization.

BRIEFINGS TO ALLIANCE PARTNERS

The NEC noted and welcomed the fact that briefings on the GNU negotiations have been conducted with the Alliance partners, the SACP and COSATU. The COSATU affiliate SAMWU was also briefed by the ANC Secretary General on request. A briefing with SANCO will be scheduled. The NEC further noted that the Alliance partners were briefed on the intricate negotiations process imposed by the hung outcome of the National and Provincial Elections.

The Alliance Secretariat later met to discuss issues of unity within the Alliance as well as the evaluation of the elections programme, the strategic focus of the GNU and related implications. The Alliance Secretariat resolved that most of these issues would be dealt with at the Political Council. The issue of unity was raised with acknowledgement that each Alliance partner is free to raise issues, including those pertaining to differences of political perspectives but that we remain united on the strategic orientation of the NDR.

ORGANISATIONAL MATTERS: MEMBERSHIP SYSTEM AND GUIDELINES

Update On Membership System

The Membership system is receiving urgent attention with the aim of restoring its online operations and therefore will help resolve membership backlogs.

The NEC welcomed the continued strengthening of the Membership System to ensure that it responds to and serve the organisational interests of the ANC, in the broader context of ongoing organisational renewal and building a strong organisation that is one with the masses of our people in their daily struggles.

Special NEC Meeting

The NEC resolved on the convening of a Special NEC meeting that will make comprehensive evaluation of the State of organisation, including matters pertaining to renewal.

Strategy and Tactics

The NEC resolved that the Political Education Subcommittee should immediately commence a process of review of the Strategy and Tactics document as per the directive of the 55th National Conference.

Organisational Integrity

The NEC has re-affirmed its stance on processing without delays all allegations of impropriety through the National Disciplinary Committee, particularly those arising from the “Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State.” As part of the continued renewal of the organisation, there will be a dedicated NEC meeting to implement the Terms of Reference of the Integrity Commission and to deal with outstanding Integrity Commission report issues.

Gender Equality

The NEC discussed the implications of the rule on 60/40 gender representation in provinces where the premier is male. The affected provinces were urged to implement the rule as soon as possible.

Legal Matters: Mk Party

The ANC’s application for leave to appeal against the judgment of the High Court Durban in the matter of ANC vs MK Party regarding the illegal use of the MK logo sat down for hearing on

Thursday, 1 August 2024 and the recent verdict being that leave for appeal to the SCA was granted.

The NEC re-iterated its full support for the restoration of its historic heritages, such as the use of the name MK / Umkhonto Wesizwe.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL

The ANC notes that over 95 Libyan nationals were arrested in Mpumalanga in what is reported to be a military camp. The ANC urges the South African National Defence, Home Affairs and the Border Management Agency, to strengthen their efforts at securing South Africa’s borders as well as all our ports of entry to combat all acts of illegality.

The ANC welcomes the outcome of the Presidential elections Venezuela amidst reports of violence, with President Maduro successfully re-elected. Again the ANC respects the self determination of all countries across the world and condemn any external intrusion. The ANC accordingly congratulates President Maduro for his re-election as President of Venezuela.

Schools Mid-year Opening

The ANC welcomed the smooth schools nationwide re-opening following the mid-year break without any adverse incidents. However the ANC was devasted with the news regarding the death of the 12 learners.

The ANC further condemns the murder of the 46 year old school teacher, Dudu Khumalo, who was gunned down at Phikiswayo Primary School in full view of pupils by unknown gun men. We call on the Department of Basic Education, working in conjunction with the SAPS, SGB’s, Community Policing Forums, local businesses and all members of the community, to help safeguard our schools from violence and criminality.

VBS

On the VBS Court Judgment, the ANC has noted that the account holders of the VBS now want their bank back, and that all due efforts by relevant stakeholders should be made towards ensuring that this bank is restored to full operation and returned to its legitimate owners.

The NEC reaffirmed our position that all people implicated for wrongdoing on VBS must be subjected to the full course of the law. Additionally, the NEC committed that the ANC will return any monies proven to have accrued to it, unknowingly, from the destruction of VBS. INTERNATIONAL MATTERS

There have been shifts to the international balance of forces in recent years, with rising levels of conflict. This call on South Africa to intensify its diplomatic relations to enhance peace across the globe. We remain committed to the principles of solidarity, human rights, and anti-colonialism in the interest of a humane world order.

SOLIDARITY WITH PALESTINE

The NEC agreed to focus for this period on the Campaign to isolate Israel in the sports terrain, with specific focus on the 2024 Paris Olympics and the call for FIFA to suspend Israel.

The campaign kicked-off with pickets in Limpopo on 30 July 2024, followed by a national picket on 31 July in Johannesburg, and other provincial pickets. The NEC noted these progressive acts of solidarity and further condemned the continued genocidal acts against Palestinians highlighted by recent air raids and the assassination of the Hamas Leader in Iran.

PARTICIPATION AT BRICS

LEKGOTLA 4 – 6 AUGUST 2024

PRIORITY ACTIONS TO DO MORE AND BETTER DURING THE 7TH ADMINISTRATION

The ANC Lekgotla looked at all these issues in the context of the ANC 2024 Manifesto, to ensure that during the 7th administration, we get the country back on track to decisively deal with unemployment, poverty and inequality, reflected in the 6 priorities elaborated in the Manifesto. The Lekgotla also focused on burning platforms such as crime and policing, immigration, as well as water and electricity.

The lekgotla therefore emphasised the need to focus on implementation of decisions. It implored ANC cadres to implement commitments of the ANC Manifesto, the GNU Statement of Intent and the directives of the President in the Opening of Parliament Address.

Priority 1: Our Jobs Plan

The NEC Lekgotla re-affirmed the Manifesto objectives to expand public employment opportunities targeting Youth Not in Employment Education and Training and those above the age of 35. This includes the Presidential Employment Initiative, SANDF-National Youth Services, Young Women in Defence Industries Apprenticeship Programme, EPWP, and Women in Energy Security: Emerging Industrialist Accelerator Programme, Digital Skills Development Programme (Targeting Youth and Women), and skills development opportunities from SETAS and other programmes.

Through the implementation of an overarching Industrial Policy and Master Plans, we will increase the number of employed South Africans and decent job creation.

Priority 2: Build Industries to achieve an inclusive economy.

The NEC Lekgotla reaffirmed the need for a comprehensive socioeconomic transformation that includes fundamental changes in the structure, systems, and institutions to reform the economy’s ownership, management, and control patterns in favour of all South Africans, with a focus on the marginalized, vulnerable, and poor, who are primarily Africans and women.

For inclusive growth and to address South Africa’s employability, our skills development programmes and industrial policy must align, with emphasis on increasing the number of young people enrolled in technical education and reskilling workers.

Priority 3: Tackle Poverty and the High Cost of Living

To tackle the cost of living, the lekgotla resolved on interventions to be undertaken, including:

• At the Local government level, maintain and expand subsidised basic services like water, houses for indigent people in municipalities.

• Provision of free sanitary pads at public health and education institutions for indigent persons.

• Review the General Fuel Levy (GFL)

• Review and expand the basket of zero-rated food items

• Continue Social Relief of Distress Grant, adjusting it for inflation and to reach the food

  poverty line toward a basic income support grant.

• Roll out of solar water heaters for working class and poor families

• Assess and review administrative and regulated tariff – including electricity pricing policy

  and water policy

• Expedite the finalisation of the transport subsidy policy that would introduce transport

  subsidies to different modes of transport, including taxis.

• Introduce measures to regulate rental prices for student accommodation.

The Lekgotla recommended that Poverty Initiatives should be coordinated by the Presidency to ensure maximum coordination of all poverty alleviation interventions.

Priority 4: Invest in People

On Basic Education: The Lekgotla supports strengthening ongoing initiatives to improve reading and numeracy of learners in public schools, and curriculum reforms to ensure school leavers are equipped to play a productive role in the economy and society. It resolved on the significance of the BELA Bill being enacted as law, strengthening the school nutrition programme to address hunger and learning outcomes, completing the process of eradication of pit latrines in schools, improve provisions on scholar transport, integration of ICT (coding, robotics, AI) into our curriculum, strengthening teacher development and support, ensure universal access to quality early child development by 2030, and fast track certification from grade 9.

On Post-School Education and Training: The Lekgotla resolved on the finalisation of the implementation of the student funding model, turnaround strategy for NSFAS, funding for the missing middle, PPP in delivering student accommodation, aligning basic and higher education curriculum with economic and skills demand, and strengthen and promote TVET and Community colleges.

On Health: The Lekgotla reaffirmed the phased implementation of the NHI, prioritising the establishment of the NHI Fund and Section 57 Committees, investing in public health facilities, and escalating the implementation of the National Health Information System.

Priority 5: Defend Democracy and Advance Freedom

On Building a capable and ethical developmental state.

The Lekgotla reaffirmed that a capable and ethical developmental state is critical to the achievement of a better life for all. As a country, we seeks to build a developmental state shaped by the history and socio-economic dynamics of South African society, to guide national economic development.

It will have attributes that include: (i) capacity to intervene in the economy in the interest of higher rates of growth, employment creation, inclusion and sustainable development; (ii) sustainable programmes that address poverty, inequality and underdevelopment with emphasis on vulnerable groups and regions; (iii) and mobilising the people as a whole, especially the poor, to act as their own liberators.

On Local Government, Basic Services and the District Development Model

The NEC Lekgotla emphasised the importance of strengthening local government support and interventions.

To address the structural factors impacting the local government sphere of government the Lekgotla reaffirmed the commitment to review the White Paper and supporting legislation, capability to implement, review the local government funding model, consider implementing zero- based budgeting principles, develop a differentiated debt management strategy with an emphasis of revenue enhancement strategies and emphasised importance of the user pay principle for citizens who can afford and strengthen indigent programmes for the poor.

On Fighting Crime, GBV and Corruption

The Lekgotla noted that South Africa also continues to grapple with issues of high levels of crime, gender-based violence and corruption.

Counter-revolutionary forces have also affected the capacity and capability of critical institutions such as SARS, NPA, Crime Intelligence, etc. There are serious concerns about the state’s capacity to fight crime & violence, as seen in July 2021 unrest. Despite the various interventions to address corruption, there is a need integrated structural mechanisms and technological innovation to tackle this cancer.

On Communications and the Battle of Ideas

The ANC has to ensure that it reconnects with the people, comprehends and handles their concerns, and reorganise structures for better engagement. Every NEC leader, activist and member, every public representative, every deployee and every cadre must consider themselves communicators.

The Lekgotla resolved to strengthen the government communication system as a whole for effective, coherent and coordinated communications of the GNU.

PRIORITY 6: BETTER AFRICA, BETTER WORLD

South Africa remains committed to the principles of solidarity; human rights; anti-colonialism; anti- imperialism; African unity; Pan-Africanism; and contribution towards a stronger capable SADC and the African Union (AU). Using these principles, South Africa is able to identify partners to collaborate in the pursuit of its foreign policy.

The Lekgotla reaffirms the critical role of international relations in the development and growth of South African society.

The Lekgotla reaffirms the importance of our BRICS plus partners and South to South Cooperation in supporting growth and development in countries of the global south.

The Lekgotla resolved that South Africa should strengthen economic diplomacy at its embassies in especially BRICS and G7 countries and the African continent, including in strategic locations like the AU Headquarters, SADC and other regional economic community Headquarters, and the Headquarters of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA).

The Lekgotla has recognised the significance of our Presidency of the G20 and the opportunities that it provides to advance the needs and interests of the African continent and the Global South.

South Africa will use the G20 Presidency as an important pillar of our efforts to advance sustainable development, inclusive economic growth, justice, peace and stability across the globe.

On Women and Youth

The Lekgotla noted that the women of our nation have shown that they remain the torchbearers of our democracy. Not only did they represent 55% of those who registered, but they also recorded a 62% turnout, above the national average. Indeed, they are our community builders, playing a vital role in all sectors of our society, even when their contributions are not always recognised or appreciated.

The Lekgotla noted that the participation of young people in elections have significantly decline. At the same time, many young people expressed their activism through involvement in a range of community and issue-based movements, eschewing traditional forms of political involvement.

CONCLUSION

The ANC remains committed to accelerate the implementation of all these resolutions, both with regards building a strong organisation steeped in the masses of our people as well as a robust government implementation programme to deliver on our manifesto mandate. We will be publishing a full NEC Bulletin detailing all the Lekgotla outcomes which will be published on all the ANC platforms.

The NEC Meeting noted with sadness the passing of the following comrades and fellow South Africans:

(a) Stanley “Bra Stan” Screamer Tshabalala
(b) Comrade Tito Maleka, along serving Head of ANC Security at the ANC Head Office.
(c) Iconic cultural professional and activist, Benji Francis, artistic director at the Afrika

Cultural Centre in Johannesburg,

(d) The 12 learners who died in an accident on their way to school.
(e) The learners who perished in a bus collision with a train in Mpumalanga,
(f) The members of various families due to the adverse weather conditions in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

The NEC Meeting further noted that over 15 000 people were displaced in the Western Cape alone. The NEC accordingly resolved to communicate its condolences on this occasion, to all those who lost their loved ones. The ANC further urges the provincial governments of the Western Cape and of KwaZulu Natal to continue to support those displaced by the storms.

The ANC wishes the women of South Africa a great women’s day tomorrow. This day is important in our national calendar as it commemorates the valiant struggles of the women of South Africa in shaping our current reality. It also recognises the continuing efforts of women to improve the substance of our democracy by insisting on a politics of emancipation that is in the interest of humanity as a whole.

We also send our condolences to the family of Mme Connie Chiume who sadly passed away two days ago. She is a veteran of our arts and culture industry and one of the most recognisable exports of South Africa to the global film industry as evidenced by her role in the globally renowned Marvel blockbuster film – Black Panther.

This afternoon, I will be leading an ANC delegation to visit the family of Mme Connie to officially convey the condolences of the ANC.