Resolutions

1. Resolution on the Character of the ANCYL

Noting

1. That the ANC Youth League is an organ of the African
   National Congress, guided by the policies, strategy and tactics and
   principles of the movement and was formed in 1944 to reinforce the ANC in
   the struggle for national liberation
2. The Strategy and Tactics as adopted at its 50th National
   Conference in Mafikeng characterises the ANC as a progressive national
   liberation movement. The primary mission of the ANC was, and remains, to
   mobilise all classes and strata that objectively stand to gain from the
   success of the cause of social change. Given the common interests that
   various classes and strata have in the success of the NDR, it is the task of
   the ANC to channel the energies of these forces behind that goal. It should
   be able to identify those common interests and unite the motive forces and
   others in joint action.
3. ‘The Strategy and Tactics furthermore notes that the
   characterisation of the ANC derives from the strategic tasks in the current
   phase of the National Democratic Revolution, which are informed by the
   historic mission of creating united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic
   South Africa. The nature of democracy that the ANC pursues leans towards the
   poor.
4. The Strategy and Tactics recognises the central and leading
   role of the working class in the project of social transformation. Its
   approach to democracy is also informed by the principle of consistent
   equality which not only recognises unequal gender relations, but also
   acknowledges that the majority of the poor are African women, especially in
   the rural areas.(Strategy and Tactics 1997)

Further noting

1. That the ANC characterises the ANC Youth League as an
   organisational and preparatory school of the movement, providing
   organisational vibrancy and youthful debate imperative to a liberation
   movement.
2. That the twin tasks of’ the ANC Youth League remain the
   mobilisation of the youth behind the historic and current mission of the
   African National Congress as well as championing the needs and aspirations
   of the country’s youth.

Believing that

1. In pursuit of these twin tasks, the ANC Youth League will
   work closely with those youth organisations which share the same objectives
   with the ANC. We often refer to these organisations as the Progressive Youth
   Alliance.
2. The ANC Youth League and its allies in the PYA have to find
   a way of managing any contradictions which of necessity will arise from the
   nature of relationship they have.

Further believing

1. That the organisational autonomy of the ANCYL, allows for
   vibrancy, the opportunities to learn through experience, which is necessary
   for a youth movement.

We therefore resolve

1. Congress re-affirms the Resolutions of the 19th congress on
   the Character of the ANC Youth League and on Governance
2. To maintain our mass based character by continue to
   mobilise the broadest sectors of youth behind the vision of the ANC and
   championing their interest in the ANC and society. To that effect, we must
   reach out to all young people professionals, working youth, students,
   intellectuals, rural youth, young women and the unemployed.
3. To forge closer links with other progressive youth
   organisations, supporting their sectoral work and working together with them
   in pursuit of a better life for all.
4. In pursuit of the above, the ANC Youth League should
   convene a National Summit of the Progressive Youth Alliance,  which
   should address our common conception of the current political conjuncture.

2. Resolutions on
Building the ANCYL

2.1 Strengthening branches and
involving membership

Noting

1. The Organisational problems faced by the League ranging
   from weak branches, low membership growth and renewal of membership;
2. The lack of recruitment strategies to broaden our base
   amongst minority and student youth, amongst the unemployed, young
   intellectuals, working youth, young women and professional youth.
3. Inability to translate the support we enjoy amongst young
   people into an active membership.
4. The lack of a clear and intensive integrated Program of
   Action which will capture the imagination of the youth.
5. Poor communication and weak management, operational,
   financial and membership system which have a bearing on our ability to
   service our structures.
6. That the Youth League does not effectively impact on ANC
   Policy processes.

Believing that

1. It is through the sustained vibrancy and dynamism of the
   Youth League that we will make a meaningful contribution to the ANC.
2. The Youth League primary task remain the mobilisation of
   all sections of the youth and disciplined cadres for the advancement of the
   NDR.
3. That the ANC Youth League as a non-sexist and non-racial
   organisation should reflect these principles in its composition and
   structures.

Therefore Resolves to

1. Mandate the NEC to organise a national branch organiser’s
   summit, to review our organising strategy and ensure ongoing training of
   branch organisers.
2. Implement specific campaigns at different levels aimed at
   general membership recruitment and the recruitment of targeted sectors;
3. Mandate the NEC to investigate an effective and efficient
   membership system.
4. Implement a program of revitalising and strengthening
   branch structures, which should include local programs for branches,
   consolidating and expanding branches, support to organising strategies In
   minority areas, induction of new members and BEC’s and co-ordinating with
   the Women’s League in formulating a strategy to mobilise young women into
   the Youth League.
5. Implement integrated National Campaigns around Political
   and Social issues.
6. Ensure that the ANCYL constitutional structures and members
   participate fully in all levels and structures of the ANC.

2.2 Leadership and Organisational Issues
in the ANCYL

Noting that

1. The period post April 1994 has imposed new dynamics,
   challenges and opportunities which impact on leadership principles and
   organisational practices within the entire liberation movement.
2. The ANC Youth League as a youth wing of the ANC, has a rich
   tradition of democratic practice;
3. I here is lack of a strategy that guides deployment of
   cadres in different levels of the organisation and other external
   institutions.
4. There is a new generation of youth entrusted with
   leadership responsibility with no clear understanding of basic
   organisational principles and policies such as mandate, consultation,
   accountability and etc.
5. The ANCYL has a historic task of providing strategic
   political leadership to the Progressive Youth Alliance as it seeks to
   advance the strategic objectives of the NDR .

Acknowledge

1. The conscious effort by both the ANC and the ANCYL to deal
   with the above issues in the discussion papers titled “Organisational
   democracy and discipline in the movement” and “Leadership issues
   in the ANCYL” respectively.

Therefore resolved that

1. The NEC Discussion document on “Leadership issues in
   the ANCYL” be endorsed by Congress as a guiding policy and farther
   adopt the ANC 50th Conference resolutions on Organisational Democracy and
   Discipline in the movement.
2. The ANCYL maintains and deepens the democratic practice
   within its Organisational structures and the democratic youth movement as a
   whole.
3. The Political Education Department develops a strategy that
   guides deployments of cadres both internally and externally, and creates
   enabling environment for robust, free debate and constructive leadership
   contestation.
4. The NEC should provide guidelines which makes provision for
   compulsory induction of members at all levels of the organisation.
5. The ANCYL as it exercises its historic leader ship role as
   the leader of the Progressive Youth Alliance to convene a summit, to inter-alia,
   clarify this matter and canvass the progressive organisational
   principles and practice to guide the PYA.

2.3 On Cadre development and policy

2.3.1 On the Cadre policy

Noting

1. The need to develop cadres in our organisation to be equal
   to the task of leading the National Democratic Revolution.
2. That such cadres should be informed of the basic principles
   that underline the struggle for transformation in our country.
3. That the current conjuncture is politically contested by
   many forces and therefore there is a need to prepare our cadres to be aware
   of the contradictions and challenges that face us in this struggle.

Believing

1. That the ANCYL cadre policy need to identify the basic
   tools of analysis that will inform and inspire our cadres in their daily work
   to advance the NDR.
2. That the growth of the ANCYL in membership, needs to be
   transformed into a qualitative growth of the organisation and therefore the
   need for ongoing political education programmes.

Therefore resolved that

1. The ANCYL should develop a cadre policy that prepares
   comrades to take up responsibilities in the organisation and society at large.
2. Such a cadre policy should enable comrades to understand the
   political, social and economic challenges of the struggle for transformation.
3. The process of developing such a policy should be
   integrated into the broader programme of the organisation
4. The cadre policy should set a framework for the rules,
   norms and values for comrades in their daily organisational work.

2.3.2 On Human Resource Development

Noting that

1. The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) as our
   platform for social changes identifies the production of a distorted skills
   profile which was based on racism as a key element of apartheid.
2. Whilst the majority of our people acquired training through
   informal means, the minority enjoyed privileged through education access to
   universities technikons.
3. A large portion of victims of this system of skills
   reservation were young people in general and members of the ANCYL in
   particular.
4. In our attempts to redress this unfortunate historic evil,
   we have developed some programmes to empower our cadres, including bur
   series, scholarships, placements and cognoscentisation  campaign to
   encourage our membership and youth in general to go back to school, to
   further their profession and to redirect their career paths.

Believing that

1. This process continued without a sound human resource
   development strategy and a specific political structure to monitor the
   implementation of our Human Resource Development programme.
2. There has never been an organisational platform to engage
   on the issue of HRD and to develop a common approach to HRD.
3. In order for our HRD programme to succeed we need to
   continue to enter into into co-operations with all sectors of South African
   society as well as agencies and organisations internationally.

Therefore Resolve to

1. To convene a national HRD Conference to consolidate our
   policy and develop a programme for the implementation thereof.
2. To ensure capacity at national, provincial and regional
   levels, to consider implement such programs including the:

• Deployment of our cadreship in such a HR programme;
• Accountability and monitoring of our cadres who have
  benefited from our HRD Programme.
• A national data bank be maintained on all our cadres
  within those having gone through the HRD programme.
• To carry out a programme of encouraging  our members
  to improve their skills with emphasis to Science, Technology and Commerce.

2.3.3 On the Qualities of our Cadres

Noting

1. That there are certain qualities that characterise cadres
   of the movement.

There resolve

That ANCYL cadres should be distinguished by the following
qualities:

1. Their commitment to the political responsibilities and
   goals of the National Democratic Revolution.
2. Their interpretation and understanding of the policies
   vision programmer and principles of the organisation.
3. Their creativity and willingness to learn.
4. Their ability to show potential and the manner in which
   they accept constructive criticism
5. The discipline they embody in the way they carry out the
   tasks of the ANCYL.
6. Their ability to analyse the struggle in  with the
   ultimate goal of NDR.

2.3.4 Implementation of cadre development
policy

Resolve

1. To utilise ANC political schools to achieve the goals of
   the policy.
2. To continue organising ANCYL summer and winter schools to
   enhance political education.
3. To complement the schools with regular seminars and study
   circles.
4. To organise political education and training workshops, to
   develop the skills and capacity of comrades.
5. To identify target groups and establish political education
   programmes that are relevant to their levels.
6. To resuscitate the culture of Umrabulo in the ANCYL.
7. To integrate issues of gender equality in the over all
   political education programmer and to be biased towards women issues.
8. To ensure that all our programs contain an element of
   political education at all levels; and
9. To task the NEC to develop a practical programme to carry
   out the objectives of the policy.

2.3.5 On our Deployment Strategy

Noting

1. That there continues to be a vital need to deploy comrades
   to various organisations, institutions and parastatals to take forward our
   objectives of transformation.
2. ‘That deployment has been fragmented and spontaneous and as
   a result there has not been consistency on the principles for deployment.
   This has created careerism in our ranks.
3. The ANC 50th Conference Resolution on a deployment strategy
   for the movement as a whole.

Believing in

1. The need to win hegemony over various institutions of power
   as a key element in the struggle for transformation.
2. The principles that should guide our deployment strategy.

Therefore Resolves to:

1. Adopt a deployment strategic that will guide the
   organisation in deploying comrades in various places that advance the course
   of our struggle.
2. That the deployment strategy should identify sites of
   deployment that characterise the locus of power in society, e.g. legislatures,
   boards, economic institutions, parastatals, NGO’s etc.
3. Develop a database of cadres, and update it on an ongoing
   basis.
4. Establish a NEC deployment committee wl1ich will monitor all
   deployments and such a commit tee should function under ANC policies and
   principles.

Further resolves

That the deployments of comrades should be done on the basis
of the following principles:

1. Identifying, at all rimes, the objective for every
   deployment.
2. Analysing the capability and expertise of the comrades to
   be deployed.
3. deployment of cadres to be gender sensitive and reflective
   of Affirmative Action objectives.
4. Balancing cadres feelings, ambitions and choices with the
   objectives of the organisation.
5. Instilling the principles of accountability and mandate on
   the comrades that are deployed.
6. Put in place performance targets, monitoring and evaluation
7. Include redeployment and the right of recall.

2.4 Building the Tripartite Alliance

Noting that

1. That the Revolutionary Alliance, having led the struggle
   for national liberation, now face the challenge to ensure the consolidation
   and completion of the National Democratic Revolution, with the strategic
   objective as defined in the Strategy and Tactics of the ANC
2. That the ANC is a broad, multi-class mass organisation
   which unites the motive forces led by the working class on the basis of a
   programme of transformation which is biased towards the poor;
3. That the organisations of the working class – the SACP and
   the progressive trade union movement, represented by Cosatu are committed to
   the strategic objectives of the NDR, and the struggle for socialism;
4. That the Tripartite Alliance is therefore an organisational
   expression of the common purpose and Unity in action that we share, and that
   it shouldcontinue jointly to define and redefine the tasks of the
   NDR.

Believing that

1. That there is a need to consciously build within the
   Alliance consultation processes and political debate on the challenges of
   transformation and the key tasks of the day;
2. That such debates and consultations should find concrete
   expression in a programme of action, as an Alliance and as independent and
   autonomous organisations
3. That this programme of the Alliance should seek to drive
   the process of transformation, give leadership to the broad progressive
   forces and seek to strengthen each component part of the Alliance.

Further Believing

1. That the ANCYL as a component part of the ANC should
   contribute towards strengthening and building the cohesiveness of the
   Alliance in action;
2. That we share a common interest with Cosatu and the SACP in
   the organisation and mobilisation of working youth.

Therefore Resolves that

1. To participate in the programme of the ANC to build
   Alliance structures and programmer at national, provincial, regional and
   community levels;
2. Continue discussions with Cosatu and the SACP with a view
   towards implementing joint programs towards the organisation and mobilisation
   of young workers;
3. Re-affirm the position of the NEC that the decision to form a
   Young Communist League is the prerogative of the SACP, and that if the SACP so
   decide, we would welcome it into the ranks of the Progressive Youth Alliance;
   and
4. The ANCYL should participate in the programme of the Alliance
   to build and strengthen the mass democratic movement.

2.5 On the Progressive Youth Alliance

Noting

1. The resolution of the 19th Congress on the PYA.
2. The slow progress in building cohesiveness and unity in
   action in the PYA.

Believing

1. That the key responsibility of the progressive youth
   movement remain the mobilisation of young people behind the vision of the ANC
   for the transformation of our country into a non-racial, democratic, united
   and non-sexist society.

Resolves

1. To mandate the NEC to take forward the programme to build
   the PYA, based on previous Congress, resolutions and other resolutions of
   the 20th Congress.

3. Resolution on Economic Growth and Development

Noting

1. The high rate of unemployment in SA and its impact on the
   future of young people;
2. The importance of the government’s Jobs Summit to be held
   later this year;
3. ‘The domestic debt burden facing our country

Believing that

1. The ANCYL National Jobs Summit held in October 1997
   laid the foundation of our input into the employment strategy especially as it
   affects the youth;
2. Government’s Umsobomvu fund was a beginning and very
   practical intervention into youth unemployment;
3. The government’s Job Summit must make further and decisive
   intervention into youth unemployment.

Therefore resolve that

The incoming NEC must immediately establish a National
Economic Development Commission and mandate it as a priority to:

1. Build on the Youth League’s October 1997 National Job
   Summit;
2. Engage the Alliance and other stakeholders in the youth
   sector in the build-up to the Jobs Summit;
3. Organise a national Economic policy conference;
4. Adopt an Employment Strategy for the youth sector that will
   inform our input into the Presidential Job Summit
5. Investigate the nature of the apartheid debt and the
   possibility of ending it.
6. Adopt a campaign to challenge the private sector especially
   the financial institutions to invest in infrastructure development, job
   creation and the training of young people in science and technology
   education.

4. Resolutions on Gender

4.1 Gender Perspective in the ANCYL

Noting

1. The need to define Gender and Patriarchy.
2. That our Gender programme must be biased towards young
   women.
3. That there is still a need to change mindsets and to break
   the barriers in our society, which limits women’s full development as
   citizens.
4. That family institutions contribute towards the oppression
   of women through the differences in upbringing and the socialisation of
   girls and boys.
5. That women do not have access to information which can
   empower them and teach them about their rights.
6. That conditions are not conducive for young women to
   practice their rights despite the constitutional provisions.

Believing

1. That gender refers to the power relationship
   between men and women in every sphere of life economically, socially,
   politically which is based on the domination and oppression of women.

Therefore resolves

1. We should integrate a gender perspective in all policies,
   programs and structures of the organisation
2. That the Youth League should strive for the transformation
   of gender relations in the family and other institutions, in accordance with
   our new Constitution.
3. To embark on an education and information program in all
   structures of the organisation to ensure that we change perceptions and
   mindsets and work towards breaking the barriers to women’s empowerment.

4.2 On the Mobilisation, Organisation and Empowerment
of young Women in the ANCYL

Noting that

1. The numbers of young women members, leaders and cadres in
   the League are still far from satisfactory
2. That conditions prevail in the organisation which limits
   the participation of young women;
3. The programme introduced by the Gender Commission to ensure
   a focus on young women was not sufficiently integrated into the programs and
   structures of the League.

Believing that

1. That the YL as one of its Aims and Objectives seek to
   promote gender equality in all spheres of life, especially amongst the youth
   and that this should be internalised by the organisation;
2. That we need to have a multi-pronged strategy to address the
   mobilisation, organisation and empowerment of young women in the League.

Therefore resolves

1. To consciously seek to integrate a gender perspective
   and the issues of young women in all aspects of our program of action;
2. To put in place a capacity building program as part of our
   Cadre Policy to empower women at all levels of the organisation;
3. To ensure a climate in the organisation which is conducive to
   the participation of women, including acting promptly in circumstances where
   the Code of Conduct arc contravened;
4. Introduce an affirmative action program towards reaching a
   40% quota for young women in terms of membership and leadership at all levels
   of the organisation.

4.3 Relationship with the ANC Women’s League

Noting that

1. The absence of a strong structured and pragmatic
   relationship with the WL.
2. The lack of participation of young women in the WL;

Resolves that

1. The Youth League should actively encourage dual
   membership with the WL.
2. Embark on joint joint programmes with the WL, including
   August 9, Economic, political issues and poverty alleviation.
3. The NEC should pursue the matter of the Young Women’s Desk as
   provided for in the WL. Constitution.

4.4 On the Women’s Movement

Noting that

1. 1. There is no common understanding in the ANC and ANCWL
      about the character and form of the Women’s Movement.
   2. That there is no clear programme to address the issues of
      young women at all levels of our society.

Therefore resolve

1. 1. ‘That the NEC should participate in the ANC and Alliance
      processes aimed at developing a common approach and program on the issue
   2. ‘That the YL should develop a perspective and convene a
      meeting with Progressive Youth Organisations to discuss a common approach to
      the Young Women’s Forum.

4.5 On the Women’s National Coalition

Noting

1. The lack of effective communication between the national
   structure of the WNC with the progressive women’s formations and its
   provinces .

Therefore resolves:

1. That we endorse the leading role of the ANCWL in the
   process of restructuring the WNC;
2. That the YL should participate in this process through
   interaction with the WL.

4.6 On Violence Against Women

Noting that

1. There is continuous abuse of women and children.
2. That the Criminal Justice System is still not user-friendly
   to abused women.
3. There are not sufficient places of safety for abused women
   and children.

Therefore resolves:

1. To encourage our branches and regions to participate in
   community structures which are dealing with violence against women and
   children.
2. Participate in the process to ensure that the Criminal
   Justice System is gender sensitive and friendly;
3. Ensure that places of safety in community centres are build
   and are easily accessible.
4. Ensure the facilitation of programmer and courses to
   educate community to support women and to combat personal and family
   violence.
5. Participate and initiate programs which conscientise men on
   issues of violence against women and their role, and the provision of
   councelling services towards this end;
6. To extend programmer to learning instittutions through the
   Progressive Youth Alliance.

4.7 On Customs, Religion and Culture and Position of
Women

Noting

1. The impact of customs, religion and cultural practices and
   laws on the status of women in our society and most of our cultures
2. The process to ensure that women’s status with regards
   marriage, inheritance, land ownership and other rights are in accordance
   with the Equality clause in the Constitution;

Therefore resolves:

1. To participate in the process of this review of women’s
   status and in the process dealing with the broader issues affecting young
   women;
2. Engage with the ANCWL on this issue and to network with
   other organizations which deal with this issue.

4.8 Commercial Sex Workers

Noting that

1. Commercial sex is part of the social reality of our
   society.
2. The process in government to provide a legal framework to
   deal with this issue;

Therefore resolve

1. To instruct the NEC to prepare a discussion document which
   should guide our imput on this matter, and how it affect in particular young
   people and children.

4.9 On Sexual Orientation

Noting

1. The Constitutional provision on this issue, as entailed in
   the Equality clause;
2. The continued homophobia (discrimination against people
   based on their sexual orientation) in our society and the insufficient
   awareness in the YL on this issue;
3. That we do have young lesbians and gays as active members
   of the YL;

Therefore resolves

1. That as a part of a broader sexual education programme, we
   should educate our members and youth in general on issues of sexual
   orientation

4.10 On HlV/Aids

Noting that

1. The high incidences of HIV infection amongst young people
2. That large members of young people still do not believe
   that Aids/HIV can effect them as individuals,
3. That society still discriminate against people who have
   contracted the virus.

Therefore Resolve

1. To participate in AIDS awareness structures at
   community level,
2. To educate YL. members and the community at large around
   these issues,
3. To encourage research aimed at finding afford able cures to
   the disease,
4. To encourage our members and the youth in general to practice
   safe sex at all times.

5. Resolutions On
International Relations

5.1 On Globalisation

Noting that

1. The complex international situation which is
   characterised by the dominance of capitalism. the existence of regional blocs,
   increase liberalisation of the national and the world economies, advances in
   science and technology and the increase role of multi-lateral global
   institutions;

Believing that

1. Globalisation should not confirm or entrench the
   disparities between rich and poor nations;
2. Globalisation has the potential to undermine national
   sovereignty, with the activities of government and businesses increasingly
   being determined by external influences and convergence of national economic
   strategies.
3. Globalisation should not be about hegemonic control by the
   western powers acting in guise of world’s economic policeman.

Further Resolves

1. 1. To adopt the United Nations World Youth Programme of Action
      and to cooperate with international youth organisations and agencies in the
      implementation of this programmes

1. To develop a discussion on the challenges and role of the
   international youth movement in the current global situation and to engage
   with other youth organisations on this issue.

5.2 African Renaissance

Noting

1. 1. The changes taking place on the continent over the last
      decade at political, economic and social levels;
   2. The problems which continue to plague the continent such as
      conflict, ethnicity, corruption, bad governance and poverty
   3. The increase potential as demonstrated in the resolution of
      the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo for Africa through
      institutions such as the Organisation of African Unity to solve its own
      problems;

Further Noting

1. The lack of vibrancy, capacity, co-ordination and
   influence in national and continental politics of youth organisations in most
   countries on the continent;
2. That since its leading role in the anti-colonial struggles of
   previous decades, the Pan African Youth Movement, has been in a state of
   serious decline and has failed to give direction to the continents youth;
3. The problems faced by African youth, of poverty,
   unemployment, poor education and skills and being drawn into conflicts and
   war; and the fact that thousands of young professionals, intellectuals,
   cultural workers and sports people have been forced to seek opportunities in
   other countries, particularly in the West.

Believing that

1. The vision of an African Renaissance provide
   opportunities and potential for the political, social, economic and cultural
   rejuvenation of the continent;
2. The focus of such a renaissance should be to build the
   capacity for African nations them selves to undertake effective preventive
   diplomacy and peace keeping
3. The youth movement has an important role to play in the
   African Renaissance.

Therefore Resolves to:

1. To lobby the OAU and regional organisations to play a
   more pro-active role in the promotion of peace, security, democracy,
   self-determination, economic development, a culture of human rights and good
   governance;
2. Endorse calls and lobby for the scrapping of the African
   foreign debt.

Further Resolves

1. That the PYM and regional structures like SADC Youth
   Council and Southern African Youth Forum should have programmes that will
   mobilise youth across the continent and region on issues which directly
   affect them;
2. To encourage bi- and multi-lateral youth campaigns for the
   promotion of Science and Technology and cultural change;
3. To endorse the NEC proposal to host the conference on
   African Renaissance (PYM) with the objective of furthering dialogue on the
   role of youth in the Renaissance the continent;

5.3 On Party-to-Party Relations

Noting that

1. Since the ANC became the leading party in the GNU its
   relations with progressive forces has been less than satisfactory;
2. The work done by the League’s international department to
   maintain and build our bilateral relations with youth organisations across
   the globe;

Believing

1. That we should build common ground with progressive
   organisations based on our common commitment to youth development, social
   justice, democracy and the right to self determination;
2. The challenges facing us in the context of globalisation
   and the African renaissance require greater co-operation amongst progressive
   forces of the world.

Therefore Resolves to

1. Consolidate our longstanding bilateral relations build in
   struggle over many years and endeavour to build alliances with progressive
   youth forces across the globe where none exist;
2. Engage in dialogue with youth organisations which don’t
   necessarily share our vision, with a view towards influencing them;

5.4 On IUSY and WFDY

Noting that

1. The ANCYL has been a longstanding member of the World
   Federation of Democratic Youth and once held position of President.
2. That following our 19th Congress resolution, the ANCYL has
   since become a full member of International Union of Socialist Youth;
3. Our endeavours since 1990 to build co-operation amongst
   progressive international youth bodies following the end of the Cold War and
   in a changing world;

Believing that

1. The international youth federations which we are
   members of provide platforms for the YL to participate in and to influence
   international debates on issues that effect youth;
2. That our participation in these bodies are based on our
   character, and our commitment to common goals as expressed in our general
   international  policies;

There Resolves that

1. The ANCYL should consolidate its participation  in
   both WFDY and IUSY, in pursuance of the above goals.

5.5 On Solidarity

Noting that

1. ANC 50th Congress at Mafikeng has outlined principles
   and resolutions on solidarity.
2. There are countries and peoples who continue to fight for
   self-determination and that there continue to be governments who the
   democratic and human rights of their peoples in the continent and in the world
   in general

Resolves

1. To endorse the ANC Mafikeng conference resolutions and
   ensure that the ANC YL play a pivotal role in their implementation
2. To re-affirm our commitment to our solidarity campaigns with
   Western Sahara, Palestine, Sudan, East Timor and Cuba;
3. To work with other organisations in Southern Africa on the
   promotion of good governance human rights and democracy in the region.
4. To ensure programme which will actualise solidarity work and
   involve our structures and members and raise public awareness on the issues
   effecting those countries.

5.6 Internal Structures on International Relations

Noting that

1. Our international programs has not adequately managed to
   involve provinces in international work
2. The Resolution of the 19th Congress in Durban which clearly
   captured the tasks of the NEC Sub-Committee.

Resolves

1. To strengthen the NEC subcommittee on International
   relations and recommit the YL t develop the participation and understanding
   c international issues amongst our members and the youth in general.

6. Resolutions on Youth
Development

6.1 The National Youth Service Programme

Noting

1. That youth unemployment and the shortage of skills remain
   one of the most serious problems facing South Africa’s youth.
2. That the RDP base documents commits the movement and the
   Alliance to the implementation of a youth service program to address these
   problems.
3. The attempts in the past to pilot such a youth service
   program by the National Youth Development Forum, and by other youth NGO’s.
4. The initiatives by the National Youth Commission to develop
   a framework and implementation plan for such a youth service programme.
5. The ANC 50th Conference resolution on the National Youth
   Service Programme.

Believing

1. That the ANC-led government and the country as a whole have
   a responsibility to provide young people with hope for the future, through
   concrete programs and opportunities.
2. That young people are committed to contributing to the
   country whether through the acquisitions of skills, through work and service
   if provicted with opportunities to do so.
3. That the Youth Service programs should be youth centred and
   driven promote nation building and patriotism and be aimed at the
   integration of young people into the socio-economic mainstream of the
   country.

Therefore resolved to

1. Develop through our Youth Development a comprehensive
   framework for the YL for a national youth service programme, based on the
   recommendations from the Congress commission, which should form the basis of
   our inputs on this issue in all forums.
2. Lobby for the Youth Service Programme to be a Special
   Presidential Project.
3. Develop understanding of the objectives of the Youth
   service programmer amongst our structures and the youth movement in general
   and ensure their active participation in the implementation of this
   programme at all levels.

6.2 On Policy and Governance

Noting

1. That the establishment of a democratic government has
   created opportunities to address the needs and aspirations of the youth.
2. That the creation of the National Youth Commission and the
   subsequent development of a draft National Youth Development Policy has
   further enhanced the opportunity of young people to participate in and
   influence the direction of youth development in the country.
3. That the ANCYL has played a major role in the establishment
   of the NYC and the development of the National Youth Development Policy.

Believing

1. That policy is an important instrument in directing
   development.
2. That the increase in opportunities to influence youth and
   other policy development necessitates that the ANCYL develops its policy
   development capacity to meet the challenges and exploit the opportunities
   created by this situation.
3. That local government is an important arena of youth
   development.

Resolves

1. To utilise fully and effectively all opportunities
   created by the establishment of a democratic government and a statutory youth
   body to advance the aspirations of young people.
2. To enhance the capacity of the ANCYL to engage in ongoing
   policy debates, develop meet, implementation and monitoring processes through:
3. The creation of appropriate policy and research structures at
   all levels of the organisation.
4. Ensuring that all its members understand the policies of the
   organisation and are able to facilitate their implementation at different
   levels of government and society.
5. That the ANCYL should participate fully in the policy
   processes of the ANC especially those related to youth development.
6. That the ANCYL should ensure that issues relating to youth
   development generally and the National Youth Development Plan specifically are
   given priority in the development agenda of the country and the ANC.
7. To guide the development of youth development implementation
   programmes that flow from the proposed National Youth Development Policy.
8. That the ANCYL should take interest in the youth development
   work that is taking place in other government departments.
9. That the ANCYL should find ways of facilitating policy
   development and implementation in those provinces where youth development
   structures do not exist.
10. That mechanisms be developed to ensure that youth development
    takes places at local government level.
11. The ANCYL should increase the level of political debate
    within the PYA and the SAYC with the aim of building maximum consensus around
    the policy direction of the youth development sector.
12. To finalist the ANCYL Youth Policy document and develop
    a programme of action based on this.

6.3 Social Issues Affecting Young People

Noting

1. That the19th congress adopted a “Twin Task”
   approach for the YL. Re-inforcing the ANC. Taking up youth programmes.
2. Most of our structures in particular branches have not been
   in position to carry forward the identified campaigns and our campaigns were
   generally poorly co-ordinated.
3. Failure to effectively use availed capacity in the form of
   the Branch Manual

Believing that

1. That our social programmes should be located within the
   broader political frame work of the ANC.
2. Such programmer should form the basis for intervention
   projects, should be ongoing and consistent, serve as a way of mobilising
   youth behind YL vision of Youth Development, with clear objectives and
   goals, be multi-sectoral and inclusive of gender issues and should be
   nationally coordinated and seek to build local capacity and involvement

Therefore Resolves

1. To have as part of Youth Development port folio, a
   national programme on social issues which include the issues as listed.

6.3.1 On Sport and Recreation

Noting

1. The skewed distribution of sports and recreation
   facilities, opportunities and provision of financial and human resources.
2. That South African teams still do not reflect the
   demographics of our country.
3. Recreation remains a privilege and is neither affordable and
   accessible to the majority of young people and communities, especially young
   women and the disabled.
4. The initiatives of government to ensure mass participation in
   sports, in particular programs such as the ‘Sports for All’ program of the
   department.

Believing

1. That sports can play a role in youth development, by
   unleashing potential of young people.
2. Sports can play a role in nation building and
   reconciliation.
3. A healthy nation is a sporting nation.

Therefore resolves

1. To encourage YL branches to participate in local sports
   councils.
2. To engage in sports activities in Pursuit of the objectives
   of development, nation-building and reconciliation.
3. Encourage Sports development clinics for coaches and
   players.
4. Promote heritage games as part of recreation and the
   expansion of recreational facilities in all communities.
5. The NEC to look at the issue of the transformation of all
   sporting codes and rugby in particular, on the basis of our commitment to
   development and non-racialism in sport and an end to discriminatory
   practices.
6. Promote the participation of young women and disabled in
   sports.

6.3.2 On Arts, Culture and Language

Noting

1. The role played by arts and culture in the mobilisation of
   our people and the international community against Apartheid.
2. The continual underdevelopment of indigenous arts and
   culture in SA and that they still do not enjoy the same status as others.
3. Euro-centric values that continues to be devils the process
   of transformation in arts and culture.
4. The continued inaccessibility of resources for cultural
   workers, their continued exploitation and the poor attention generally given
   to these issues.

Believing that

1. Arts and culture are critical to development, reconciliation and
   nation-building.
2. The need to build our common South African identity, whilst developing the
   diversity of our cultural heritage and traditions.

Resolved to

1. Encourage YL members to be involved in arts and culture through their
   local arts councils.
2. Encourage youth to be involved in programmes provided by local NGO’s and
   the other arts and culture bodies.
3. Encourage mass popular participation in the performing, visual and
   creative arts and net work with different organisations in these sectors.
4. Lobby for increase resources to arts and culture, from both government,
   the private sector and communities.
5. Participate in the activities of the South African Language Board.
6. Input and contribute to government policies and programs in arts, culture
   and language.

6.3.3 On HIV/AIDS

Noting

1. The increase in the numbers of young people affected by HIV/AIDS and the
   fact that youth remain a high risk group.
2. The social impact of AIDS orphans on our social services, the economic
   impact of the loss of breadwinners and the impact on our health servers with
   additional users.

Believing

1. That the epidemic is a threat to the process of reconstruction in our
   country.
2. That young people with HIV/AIDS should be treated with dignity and the
   support of their communities, families, friends and the nation.
3. Fighting AIDS is the responsibility of all, and not only the Health
   department.

Resolve

1. That the YL should move beyond awareness campaigns towards, and focus on
   encouraging practices which prevent the spread of the disease.
2. Positive living with HIV/AIDS should be encouraged and young people should
   be used as peer educators.
3. The NEC to look into the establishment of multifaceted youth support
   networks providing life skills education which will include amongst other
   things counselling for young people with HIV/AIDS.
4. The NEC to forge relations with government and other organisations,
   including the Commonwealth Youth Programme in pursuance of Positive living
   project within the HIV/AIDS programme.

6.3.4 After School Care

Noting

1. The lack of affordable after-school care facilities in most communities.
2. That many parents work late, and are unable to supervise their children in
   terms of school-work and their recreation.
3. The increase involvement of children and adolescents in anti-social
   behaviour and activities.

Believing

1. That children are the most valuable assets of any society and a barometer
   of the social health of a society.
2. That our investment in them is an investment in the future.
3. That the inculcating values of a democratic and caring society should
   start as young as possible, contributing to the rebuilding of the moral
   fibre of our society and communities.
4. That the YL has a responsibility to its communities, in the spirit and
   culture of service.

Resolves

1. An element of our community service program should be to commit young
   people to assist learners and students with their school work and provide
   other after-school recreational activities to children.
2. To mandate the NEC to do a feasibility study and to develop such a
   program.

6.3.5 On Substance Abuse

Noting

1. That there is nominal participation and practical engagement of young
   people in community matters which leads to high level of substance abuse
   amongst young people.
2. Lack of social support services at local level
3. The prevailing socio-economic situation depresses young people, leading to
   seeking outlets in harmful substances.
4. The level of ignorance about the impact of different substances amongst
   youth people, making it difficult to make informed decisions.

Resolve

1. To develop a substance abuse policy for YL and a strategy and programme
   based on this policy.
2. To network with all institutions that deal with issues of substance abuse.

6.3.6 On the Environment

Noting

1. The lack of environmental education in our organisation, and as a result
   the low level of consciousness on the relationship between the environment
   and development.

Resolves

1. To have a program of environmental education in the YL, including the
   establishment of Eco-desks.
2. To encourage branches to initiate local clean-up campaigns and to form
   Eco-desks which will forge links with other structures dealing with
   environment.
3. Forge links with international bodies.
4. To observe national days on the environment like Arbour day.
5. To link environment to tourism and job creation programs.

6.4 Institutions of Youth Development

6.4.1 Institutions of Government

National

Conference re-affirms

1. The National Youth Commission, as established in terms of the National
   Youth Commission Act as an appropriate government instituiton to:

• Develop a national youth policy.
• Co-ordinate and facilitate the implementation of the youth policy
• Initiate youth development programmes
• Co-ordinate and Monitor the implementation of the youth policy.

Provincial

Noting

1. That various institutions have been created in provincial governments to
   deal with youth matters.
2. That there is no formal relationship between these provincial institutions
   and the National Youth Commission.

Believing

1. That for more efficient and effective performance of the National Youth
   Commission’s functions there should be a streamlining of the work of the
   National Youth Commission and provincial institutions on youth affairs.
2. That as the functions and roles of provincial institutions on youth
   affairs are almost similar to those of the NYC; that institutions to be
   created in all nine provinces should be similar to the NYC and be located in
   the Premiere’s Offices.

Resolve

1. To mandate the NEC to make concrete and detailed proposals on the
   streamlining of the National Youth Commission and Provincial Youth
   Commissions.

Local Government

Noting

1. The resolution of the 19th Congress on Youth Development,
   in particular on youth governance institutions at local government level.
2. That there are institutions such as junior councils which
   play more of a ceremonial role and do not have any influence in the decision
   making of the councils.

Acknowledge

1. The NEC’s attempts to implement this resolution through:

• Submissions to the green and white paper processes on local government.
• Submission to the national youth policy for mutation process, which is now
  part of the youth policy presented to the cabinet.

Re-affirms

1. The need for youth institutions at local government level to ensure
   that local councils implement youth development programmes. Such institutions
   should be placed in the executive structures of the councils.

Resolves

1. 1. To mandate the NEC to continue lobbying councillors MPL’s, MP’s the
      Ministry of Constitutional Affairs for the speedy implementation of these
      proposals.
   2. To call for the establishment of local youth units to replace junior
      councils.

6.4.2 Organs of Civil Society

Noting

1. Previous Congress Resolutions on the National Youth Council;
2. The launch of the South African Youth Council as an umbrella body of all
   national youth organisations.
3. That the South African Youth Council is still at its formation stage.

Believing

1. That the SAYC provides a platform for youth organisations to come together
   and share ideas on youth development and on how they can contribute to the
   development of our country.
2. The South African Youth Council should also monitor programmes and
   policies of government and in particular the National Youth Commission and
   the impact on youth.
3. The Youth Council is also a mechanism through which South Africa’s youth
   may establish links with other youth form the region and the world.
4. The ANC Youth League must use the plat form created by the formation of he
   South African Youth Council to mobilise the South African youth around the
   processes of social transformation and nation building and build consensus
   in the Progressive Youth Alliance around this approach.

Resolves

1. To instruct the NEC to lead the process of finalising the Constitution of
   the Youth Council as well as lobby for resourcing of the Council to help
   create full capacity.
2. That the we should work towards the establishment of South African Youth
   Council structures at national, provincial and local levels.
3. To encourage the formation of local youth councils, working together with
   other progressive youth organisations in communities;
4. Ensure that the League provide guidance and leadership to the SAYC.

7. Resolutions On
Safety and Security

Role of the ANCYL in Safety and Security

Noting

1. that the society as a whole has a responsibility towards safety and
   security,
2. that there are certain areas that can best find expression in a
   programmatic way if dealt with by the Youth League,

7.1 On Community Policing Forums

Therefore Resolves

1. To call for the amendment of the South African Police Act to give powers
   to the CPF as it relates to accountability of Police Officers and
   transformation at station level;
2. That it should be compulsory for all ANC Youth League structures to
   participate in the CPFs and that such participation must be monitored
   continuously.
3. That the Human Resource development programme for CPF should have an
   emphasis on localised capacity building.
4. That the ANC Youth League should initiate and direct crime prevention
   project as currently run by CPFs.
5. That the human and material resource base of the CPF are utilised
   effectively to initiate and implement strategic crime prevention projects.
6. That the NEC pursue the issue of youth corps in the areas of safety and
   security, within the context of a broader national youth service programme.

7.2 On Transformation of the SAPS

Noting

1. That the status quo within SAPS especially as it relates to
   representativity in the management, affirmative action, distribution of
   resources, and services rendered;

Further noting that

1. Whilst remarkable progress in so far as transformative legislation has
   been made, that there has not been a deliberate deployment of cadreship in
   SAPS;
2. The progress in the implementation of the National Crime Prevention
   Strategy;

Therefore resolve:

1. To evaluate on a regular basis the impact of legislation on the
   transformation of the SAPS;
2. To lobby for legislation which allows for compulsory cross transfer of
   SAPS officers to address representativity and non-racialism at police
   station level, an overhaul of the in-service training within SAPS, for
   mechanisms which will ensure community input into the retraining
   (in-service) modules and for the appropriateness of senior appointees in the
   SAPS with a commitment to transformation and service to the community.

Further resolves

1. To in co-operation with the ANC Safety and Security structures, seek to
   encourage and take conscious efforts towards the deployment of youth in the
   administrative, management and operational branches and services of the
   South African Police Services at all levels.

7.3 National Campaign Against Crime

Noting

1. That the youth are the most vulnerable sector In relation to crime;
2. That our socio-economic conditions contribute towards crime in its
   different manifestations;
3. That the youth are directly and indirectly affected by crime,
4. The shortage of positive role models for young people, within the context
   of the disintegration of the social fabric of our society and communities

Further noting

1. That crime is used as an instrument of counter revolution to undermine our
   democracy, the perceptions about the South African economy because of crime
   (especially corruption) and the rise of vigilante and gangster activities
   which pose a serious threat to the peace and stability of our communities:
2. The impact of the National Crime Prevention Strategy and other community
   and sectoral based initiatives and campaigns against crime;

Therefore resolve

To participate in the National Campaign against Crime, which should:

1. form part of the ANC-led Alliance programme;
2. have a mass character, with national profile;
3. place the Youth League-led PYA at the centre of co-ordination
4. have a very broad network of all stake holders/role players i.e.
   Government, NGOs, Business, etc
5. put emphasis on crime prevention initiatives, the
   rebuilding of the moral fibre of our society and anti-corruption;
6. emphasise bi-national, regional, and international co-operation; and
7. popularise and monitor the NCPS.

7.4 On Private Security Companies

Noting

1. The proliferation of private security companies, the large numbers of
   ex-security force members from the apartheid era which are part of these
   companies and the potential of these to be used as a basis for
   counter-revolution.

Resolve:

1. To call for the regulation of these security companies;
2. To support legislation which limits their operations beyond the borders of
   South Africa, especially where it may result in goals in contradiction with
   that of our democratic government.

7.5 On the KZN Peace Process and Peace In Other Areas

Resolve

1. That the focus of the KZN peace process should also take into account
   incidents of violence which are not of a political nature, e.g E.Cape, to
   place within the context of a peace process with a national profile.

8. Resolutions On
Education and Training

8.1 Transformation of the School Sector

Governance

Noting

1. Lack of participation by communities in the processes of establishing
   School Governing Bodies (SGB’s).
2. Lack of capacity to participate
   actively in governance issues.

Believing that

1. The success of the democratisation of structures rests solely on the
   participation of key stakeholders.

Resolves to

1. Popularise the South African Schools Act.
2. Encourage communities to play an active role in the formation of School
   Governing Bodies,involving ANC branches;
3. Work towards the formation of Local MDM Education Fora
4. Assist in the strengthening of COSAS Call for capacity building programmer
   for LRC’s as part of the strategy to strengthen SGB’s.
5. Participate actively in the formation of an Association of School
   Governing Bodies.

On Access

Noting

1. The continued lack of physical facilities in a majority of schools
   (including the shortage of classrooms, laboratories, libraries).
2. Tendencies by some SGB’s to unilaterally impose exorbitant fees, which
   restrict assess.
3. That some schools in provinces such as the Northwest, N Province and
   others continue to resist change.
4. The exodus of learners from disadvantaged schools to former historically
   advantaged schools

Believing

1. Sound education can only take place under conditions conducive to learning
   and teaching.
2. Exorbitant fees are only meant to deny the majority of the populace access
   to such schools
3. Public Schools are a national asset.

Resolves

1. To monitor the funding by government to ensure a continued biased towards
   the poorest schools, as set out in the South African Schools Act.
2. A redress fund be set aside by government in favour of historically
   disadvantaged schools.
3. Encourage the sharing of resources between and amongst schools.
4. Urge companies to form partnership with government in addressing backlogs
   in the provision of physical facilities e.g. adopt a school
5. Call upon government to apply stringent measures to those schools that are
   resistant to change.
6. Encourage communities to jealously guard our schools from acts of
   criminality and vandalism.

On Colts

Noting

1. Since its adoption, the campaign has not been effectively implemented by
   role players, including teachers, students, parents and workers.

Believing

1. The campaign represents a political programme by government to create an
   enabling learning environment for the transformation process.

Resolves to

1. Encourage extra classes for learners, especially in the fields of natural
   sciences, mathematics, commerce and technology.
2. Campaign for the improvement of the total school environment through sport
   and cultural activities.
3. Engage MDM structures and communities in general to monitor processes at
   school level.
4. Run awareness campaigns for learners on social issues such as Aids and
   drugs awareness, democracy and human rights, etc.
5. Encourage career guidance programmes.
6. Utilise political leadership, constituency offices and all the machinery
   available at our disposal to encourage effective learning.

On Curriculum 2005

Noting

1. The importance of educating our members on curriculum issues.

Resolves

1. Popularise Curriculum 2005 amongst our members
2. Our structures should monitor the implementation of the curriculum

8.2 Higher Education Transformation

Noting that

1. The ANCYL and the ANC remains committed to
   the education system which is accessible to all, such a system being
   non-sexist, non-racial and democratic.
2. We acknowledge the development of our policy therefore: “The doors of
   learning and culture shall he open to all. There shall be education for
   all”. These aspirations we aim to realise through and education system
   that is.
3. Responsive to the needs of our developing society.
4. Democratically governed and administered and further accountable to the
   South African Society.
5. Addresses the imbalances created by apartheid.
6. Creates partnerships amongst communities, government and the education
   sector to accept collective responsibility and pledge equal commitment to
   the provision of Higher Education.
7. The ANC appreciates the process towards the development of a new higher
   Education Policy and the consequent enactment of the Higher Education Act.
8. We note the weaknesses of a properly co-ordinated Education alliance in
   Higher Education Sector.
9. There continues to exist an unfortunate reality of the lack of resources,
   such making it impossible in the short term to realise our cherished value
   of free education for all.
10. The leadership of institutions of higher learning do contribute to the
    almost collapse state of our higher education institutions.
11. The decline of culture of learning, teaching and research in Higher
    Education as a result of varying factors.

Congress therefore resolves

On Financial Aid Scheme and Funding of Higher Education.

1. To continue to call for the increase of government, foreign and business
   contributions to the National Student Aid Scheme.
2. To call upon all students, to contribute to the cost of their education
   through loan schemes, community service, student placement programmes and
   payment of fees
3. To reiterate the call for the expansion for NSFAS (national student
   financial aid scheme) to cover all sectors of Public Higher Education.

Resolve

1. Develop mechanism of creating a platform for dialogue and
   interaction amongst members of the ANC and the progressive movement in
   institutions.
2. To carry out a cadreship development programme for
   empowering our members to be deployed in structures of governance as created
   by the Higher Education Act.
3. To consciously lobby for the deployment of members of the
   ANC in senior leadership positions at institutions, and to develop
   mechanisms of holders such members accountable to the organisation.

On BTF’s

Resolves

1. That the ANCYL should advocate for and campaign for their
   formation.

The Culture of Learning, Teaching and Service

Noting

1. The major threat to learning and Teaching is scarce
   resources, demoralisation, and curriculum structure that is becoming
   unacceptable and irrelevant.
2. Crime, sexual harassment and racism continues to
   destabilise conditions conducive for learning and teaching.

ANCYL Branches in Campuses

Noting

1. There has been a quantitative leap in the formation of
   Branches in campuses without resistance from any of our allies.
2. Continued differences between SASCO and ANCYL in campuses
   has not been beneficial to the transformation project.
3. Our Branches in campuses have not been able to carry out
   the fullest any programmes out of educational issues.
4. YL Branches in campuses have not gone beyond student
   members, despite the presence of young people in administrative staff.

Resolve

1. To accelerate the process of the formation of PYA
   structures at all levels of the organisations.
2. To priorities and concentrate on campuses where such
   differences continues and speedily resolve such.
3. To broaden the membership of the ANCYL in campuses to
   include non-students
4. The continued deliberate, perpetuation of the differences
   be investigated, with an instant of disciplinary action.

8.3 On Vocational Training

Resolve

1. To promote the intake and development of vocational
   trainees, and continuously lobby far the attachment of vocational training
   institutions into institutions mailer learning far accreditation and quality
   assurance.

S.5 Science and Technology

Noting

1. The declaration of 1998 as a year of Science and
   Technology.
2. That the reservation of Science and Technology studies was
   a conscious campaign to restrict the majority of South African society to
   manual labour.
3. The continued bias of business and capital in its continued
   contribution of resources for science and technology to historically
   advantaged communities.
4. The underdevelopment of science and technology in our
   education and training system generally.

Further noting

1. The advances in technology and science which have
   characterised the 20th century.

Believing

1. That the advances made in science and technology should be
   utilise towards creating a better life in our country and towards a just and
   human world order.
2. That science and technology will be a key component of the
   process of reconstruction, development and economic growth.

Resolve

1. Encourage amongst interest amongst our members and youth in
   general in science and technology;
2. Encourage and provide incentives for students to enrol in
   science and technology and for greater numbers of high school students to
   take mathematics and science subjects from an early level.

On ABET and Further Education and Training

Noting

1. High unemployment levels in our country due to lack of
   skills.
2. High rate of illiteracy amongst the majority of the
   populace
3. As observed by the ANC Policy Conference in 1996 that
   further education is neither free nor compulsory.

Believing

1. For people to be employable they need empowerment through
   skills and vocational training

Resolves

1. Re-affirms the ANC’s commitment of making education and
   training accessible to the majority of the population.
2. Re-orientate Adult basic education and training to be
   biased towards disadvantaged groups in particular youth from rural areas,
   with disabilities, who are at risk, young women and returned exiles.
3. Work with other service providers who are working in the
   area of ABET.
4. ABET and Further education program should be integrated
   into the entire system of education and training.
5. We should move towards the regulation of Further Education
   and Training institutions by law.

9. Resolutions On
Elections

Congress resolves that all our work for the months
leading up to the General Election in 1999 should include:

• • That all programmes and campaigns embarked upon must
    include a political education and training element, for example, on the voter
    registration campaign, the politics of participatory democracy and
    transformation as well as technical training on the registration process.
  • That the elections training of the ANC must include
    Youth League representatives. That the elections structures of the ANC must
    include representatives from the constitutional structures of the ANCYL.

This 20th National Congress of the ANCYL re-affirms the
resolution of the ANC National Conference in Mafikeng on winning elections with
an overwhelming majority and commits the ANC Youth League towards making this a
reality by:-

9.1 Mobilising and educating the Youth for an
overwhelming majority victory for the ANC in 1999 election

Noting that

1. The transformation of South Africa into a non-racial,
   non-sexist and democratic country is a task that requires a government with
   a clear and strong mandate from the electorate.
2. The ANC-led liberation movement is the only organisation
   that has the capacity and will to transform this country in the context of
   the creation of a better life for all.
3. The majority of young people have shown their support for
   the ANC in the past;
4. There will be a large number of young people who have never
   voted before who will vote in 1999.

Therefore Resolves that

1. The ANCYL will deploy all its structures and allocate
   available resources to mobilise and educate the youth of this country to
   vote in their millions for the ANC in the 1999 elections.
2. Special emphasis will be placed on the provinces where the
   ANC is either in opposition or does not have a strong majority.

9.2 On a Youth Elections Platform

Noting that

1. The youth constitutes a large sector of the voting
   population in the country.
2. The youth have specific issues that need to be addressed.

Further noting

1. The sometimes unhealthy tensions between the ANCYL and
   SASCO and
2. The lack of a clear and coherent programme that drives the
   activities of the PYA

And Further Noting

1. That there remains cohesion in the Progressive Youth
   Alliance on a transformation vision

Believing that

1. The ANCYL is the leading detachment of youth formations
   in the country, and that
2. The RDP remains the core electoral platform and programme for
   the liberation movement.

We therefore resolve that

1. The incoming NEC must convene a lekgotla of the

Progressive Youth Alliance to discuss the electoral platform.
1. The incoming NEC must develop a draft document on the
   platform to present at the lekgotla deriving its content from the political
   vision of the ANC, defining our commitment to the Reconstruction and
   Development, which include transformation of the state and society,
   eradicating poverty, developing our human resources and safety and economic
   development and growth.
2. The platform should have as its main components the
   following issues as it affects young people: Human resource development,
   with a focus on education and training, Health, Criminal Justice System; Job
   creation.
3. The lekgorla must also define a process for regular
   engagement of the PYA within the context of a Programme of Action for 1998
   of which the elections will be the priority.

9.3 ID Drive and Voter Registration

Noting that

1. The possession of ID documents and voter registration will
   be a key requirement for voter eligibility in the 1999 elections.
2. In the context of our call to reduce the voting age to 16,
   many young people will not be in possession of ID documents.

We therefore resolve to

1. immediately embark, together with the ANC, registration
   will be a key requirement for voter eligibility in the 1999 elections.
2. In the context of our call to reduce the voting age to 16,
   many young people will not be in possession of ID documents.

We therefore resolve to

1. immediately embark, together with the ANC, on an ID
   acquisition drive.
2. insist that Home Affairs begins immediately to make the
   application process for ID documents accessible, user friendly and
   efficient, including sending mobile units to rural areas and tertiary
   institutions to both allow for the application and distribution of ID
   documents, and keeping offices open on weekends.
3. establish ID drive committees in every branch; d) develop a
   programme and work hard to ensure that all youth who are eligible to yore
   are registered “ID Today Vote Tomorrow”.

9.4 Lowering the voting age

Noting that

1. The historical role played by the South African youth in
   shaping the political landscape of our country.
2. The youth comprise a large percentage of the South African
   population and, at the same time, are one of the most marginalised sectors
   of the population.
3. A 16 year old in South African can have a license to posses
   a firearm.
4. A 17 year old can sign up for military service, take out
   life insurance and apply for majority status if s/he is economically
   independent from his/her parents.
5. That school leaving age is 16yrs (SASA) and a 15 year old
   is allowed to work under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.

Further noting

1. The ANC National Conference resolution on the need to
   investigate and process the possibilities of reducing the voting age.

Therefore Resolve to

1. Campaign to reduce the voting age to 16, including engaging
   MDM youth structures on the issue, continuing to push the ANC to reach
   consensus on the issue and lobbying all the relevant structures on the
   matter; mobilising the broadest consensus amongst the population as a whole
   on the issue through awareness campaigns and a signature campaign.

9.5 Voter outreach and deployment

Noting that

1. a landslide victory for the ANC in the 1999 elections is
   essential for the consolidation and deepening of the National Democratic
   Revolution.
2. the campaign for the 1999 elections must start now as part
   of our ongoing programme of transformation.
3. the majority of people in the country are not kept in
   constant contact with the ANC and processes that inform the direction of the
   country.
4. The target groups for the ANCYL include our base support
   and those that have not necessarily participated in youth prograrnmes. These
   include,
5. religious youth, unemployed youth, secondary and tertiary
   students, working youth, new voters, white youth, black minority youth,
   rural and farm youth, sport and culture sectors, young women, disabled
   youth, youth in prisons.

Therefore resolve

1. To embark on a co-ordinated voter outreach programme
   together with the ANC, but defined specifically to the sector that we
   represent.
2. To ensure that all comrades in leadership positions are
   deployed, particularly to institutions where young people are located such
   as secondary and tertiary institutions and a programme of ‘Youth Leader to
   100 voters’.
3. That the constitutional structures of the ANCYL and the ANC
   must drive this programme.
4. To encourage our branches to start composing songs which
   reflect the elections mood.

9.6 Communication Strategy

Noting that

1. The movement has not developed effective mechanisms for the
   communication of our achievements.
2. Negative perceptions about the progress of transformation
   are created primarily by the media and the opposition

Further noting

1. That the best and most profound form of communication is
   the direct contact that the ANCYL has with the mass of youth in the country

Therefore resolves:

1. To utilise methods of communication in keeping with our
   traditions such as people’s forums, targeted meetings,
   home     visits and door-to-door work.
2. To ensure that, through the PYA processes, progressive
   youth structures convey a common message and agenda on core, principled
   issues.
3. That the in-coming NEC develop strategies for using all
   forms of media (such as print, community and commercial radio and
   television, NEC Bulletins, Horizon, etc.).
4. That provincial, regional and branch structures develop
   similar strategies to deal with local and provincial media.
5. To use our own posters and pamphlets, in appropriate
   languages, to project our message around particular campaigns.

9.7 List Process

Noting that

1. The list process is an important process that is part of
   the democracy culture in our movement;

2. Guidelines for the list process are often too
   loose and create unnecessary tensions.

Therefore resolve that

1. The in-coming NEC must liaise directly with the List
   Committee of the ANC to develop an approach to the process. This approach
   must include the following elements.
2. The guidelines for a list process must be drawn up in the
   context of a developed understanding of mandate, accountability and recall
   issues.
3. The Committee must develop criteria to help guide branches
   in their nominations.
4. A clear deployment strategy is developed to ensure that we
   are able to most strategically spread our cadres in a variety of sectors and
   all three spheres of government.

10. Resolutions On
Finance And Fundraising

10.1. Adoption of the Audited statements & Finance
Policy and Procedures

Noting

1. The marked improvement in the financial management of
   the ANCYL;
2. The implementation of recommendations of auditors and
   management.

Resolve

1. Adopt the 1996 and 1997 Audited Financial statements as

1. presented to Congress;
   1. Adopt the Financial Policy and Procedures documents as
      amended.

10.2 Investments Report and Guidelines

Resolve to:

1. Note and adopt the Investment report as tabled before

the Finance Commission and in particular the objectives viz.:-

• Self-sufficiency of the ANCYL;
• Economic transformation, changing ownership patterns in
  line with the objectives of the NDR;
• Youth development, with emphasis on education and
  training, job creation for young people;
• Generating sufficient social profits for infra-structural
  development

2. 2. Mandate the NEC to develop investment guidelines which
      should include:-

• avoidance of investments which are political insensitive;
• separate investments activities and structures from the
  constitutional structures of the ANCYL;
• ensure political accountability through trustees
  appointed by the YL;
• seek appropriate alliances with allies such as the
  investment organs of the unions and other sister organisations;
• guidelines which are applicable to all levels of the
  organisation.

10.3. On fund raising

Resolve to:

Note and adopt the Fundraising document as presented to the
Finance Commission; Mandate the NEC to set up units such as a Strategic
investment Unit for long-term fundraising and fund

2. Amendments to the Finance Policy and Procedures

Specific amendments were made to the Draft Finance Policy
and Procedures as presented to the commission.