Comrades,
Though one fully supports this call for President Jacob Zuma to avail himself for a second term, one wonders whether it is not premature at this stage, when there are so many other pressing issues to impress upon him. It would seem to me that given the newness of our current government, the work to consolidate all the changes within government structures and the many challenges ahead that this government will face as far as implementation is concerned (specially in the wake of the global financial crisis), it would be prudent to ensure and assist with the realization of the current mandate. This call should and would then made at the right stage as the would inevitably be a need for continuity. I do believe that we need to first and foremost protect this new dispensation and assist to portray it is one which is about service and not "power". I watched JZ answering this question yesterday and felt that this call compromising the new agenda and focus on which is implementation. it has never been about him per se but about what he stands for which is primarily a kind of leadership that allows all voices to be heard and consensus building not only within the alliance but the south African society as a whole . We must work to ensure that the policy pronouncements and resolutions from Polokwane are realized and the call for a second term will not only be forthcoming from the progressive forces but also from the masses as well. I stand corrected!! Samora ________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Castro Ngobese Sent: Monday, June 08, 2009 2:40 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [YCLSA Discussion] YCLSA STATEMENT ON COSATU'S CALL FOR PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA'S SECOND TERM YCLSA statement on COSATU's call for President Jacob Zuma's second term 08 June 2009 The Young Communist League of South Africa [uFasimba] supports the COSATU's call for President Jacob Zuma to avail himself for the second term as the ANC and state President. We are interested in the ANC leadership because we want a leadership that will build and respect the Alliance. We will only stop being interested in the ANC leadership once the Alliance is over. As long as the Alliance is still intact and we are expected to mobilise and organise for the ANC electoral victory during elections as one of our key common programme to retain the ANC alliance in the state, our interest in the ANC leadership will remain unchanged. As independent, albeit inter-dependent strategic allies, we influence each other, and therefore there is no contradiction between our views on the ANC leadership and the ANC's organisational autonomy. It is our view that the ANC leadership under President Jacob Zuma has shown significant respect for the Alliance and the ANC itself. Notwithstanding a number of challenges in the conceptualisation and implementation of the reconfigured Alliance, particularly in some provinces, Allies relations have significantly improved since the 2007 ANC National Conference in Polokwane. Our experience in the last 15 years has taught us that we can no longer be spectators in the theatre of class struggle within the ANC when some people are plotting day and night to capture the ANC for their own narrow BEE elitist interests which have nothing to do with what the ANC stands for. We should also make it clear that our support for the ANC cannot be unconditional. We will continue to support a working class bias ANC in practice - nothing else! We are also aware that there are those who are not opposed to the ANC President leadership as such, but cannot wait to be ANC officials as soon as possible. Whilst affirming their rights to stand for any position, we just want to signal to them that we do not agree with them. It is too early for them to start wetting their appetite for power. We urge those who disagree with us on this question to come out and disagree with us on substance. And stop concealing their views under bureaucratic and procedural arguments which hinge on when and who should raise this question. We do not need political referees to tell us when to air our views on any matter. We also note the growing attack on the SACP Chairperson and ANC Secretary General - Gwede Mantashe by social forces within society and the ANC itself. Notwithstanding our healthy differences with him as a leader of the ANC, we would like to re-affirm our confidence in him as the ANC Secretary General and will urge him to avail himself for the position of the ANC Secretary General. Clarity on these matters will enable all of us to focus all our resources and energies on building our organisational and state capacity to implement our electoral mandate. We will agitate and mobilise our structures including our ANC on these matters. Issues by YCLSA Head Office COSATU House 1 - 5 Leyds Street, Braamfontein Contact: Castro Ngobese YCLSA National Spokesperson - 082 567 3557 This message is subject to certain restrictions and qualifications which are contained in our email disclaimer which is available on our website at www.edcon.co.za/Edcon/Disclaimer or from the Group Secretary on (011) 495-6000. The disclaimer also provides our corporate information and names of our directors as required by law. 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