African National Congress
*ANC Media Release, 24 July 2010*
*National Executive Committee Statement*
The (NEC) of the African National Congress (ANC) met over two days --
from 22-23 July 2010. The NEC mainly focused on the preparations for the
September National General Council (NGC) and examined urgent issues that
required decisions.
The NEC thanked all South Africans, the various structures and
formations in society for making the 2010 FIFA World Cup a success. We
congratulate Bafana-Bafana, the FIFA Local Organising Committee, SAFA
and all South Africans for the successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World
Cup tournament. South Africans should be encouraged to make more
successes in preserving the legacy of the World Cup. Members of the NEC
were reminded that before the competition started, a national prayer was
held in the Free State and it would therefore be appropriate to organise
a thanksgiving prayer for the incident-free and successful world cup
competition. The NEC acknowledged that Bafana Bafana were ranked 90 just
before the start of the world cup and are now ranked 66. It was also
agreed that a celebration festival would add the necessary flavour to
our celebrations, giving an opportunity to artists and other key
stakeholders to participate.
The NEC further congratulated Louis Oosthuizen for taking the British
Open golf title and putting the country on world map. They wished him
all the luck and success in the Scandinavian Masters tournament.
*ON XENOPHOBIA*
The NEC came to the conclusion that there was an exaggeration and
sensationalism on the possibility of xenophobic attacks. Security forces
were commended for their intervention in containing the threat. The ANC
branches were directed to be part of all the efforts to fight xenophobia.
The NEC congratulated the scientists who are working on the microbicidal
gel for the progress made towards finding a solution and reducing the
risk of the spread of HIV and AIDS in society. The ANC is highly
impressed, encouraged and unreservedly welcomes the breakthrough of the
research outcome announced by professors Quarraisha and Saleem
Abdool-Karim on the effectiveness of a vaginal microbicidal gel in
reducing the spread of HIV infections through sexual contact.
The ANC will do everything to support the rapid progression of all
processes to lead to the manufacture and massive availability of this
microbicidal gel. It was decided that South Africa must lead the
implementation of the African Union (AU) resolution to establish a fund
for scientific research in the continent. A special word of appreciation
was sent to the Ministry and Department of Science and Technology for
supporting and stepping up research initiatives in South Africa.
Following the success in hosting the FIFA World Cup, this scientific
breakthrough is another feather in the South African cap as evidenced by
the standing ovations that followed the opening addresses of our Deputy
President Kgalema Motlanthe, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi's address
and the microbicidal gel research was presented at the 18th World Aids
Conference in Vienna.
*ON THE CHIKANE FILES*
The NEC has noted the articles written by Reverend Frank Chikane that
appeared in the Independent Newspapers recently. It is in the character
of the ANC to promote freedom of speech and free circulation of ideas
and information within the ANC and broader society. However, the
publication of the Chikane files, especially aspects that purport to
report in a distorted fashion NEC meetings when Reverend Chikane was not
even present, is viewed in a very serious light. We, therefore, call on
our members and our people to be cautious in reading the Chikane files
as they are not a gospel truth of the events that have unfolded in the
recent past. As an ANC member and leader, the officials of the ANC will
seek an audience with him.
*ON MUNICIPAL BOUNDARIES*
The NEC decided that each case would be looked at on its own merit. We
however decided that:
* The ANC has the responsibility of aligning its structures to the
boundaries of the municipalities.
* The emphasis will not be on disbanding but on setting up interim
structures that will overseer the work of the ANC in the period
leading to the 2011 local government elections.
* The current Regional Executive Committees will form the core of
the interim structures.
* Provincial Executive Committees will take full responsibility for
this important work with the NEC supervising it closely.
* We will also engage the Municipal Demarcation Board and other
Government structures in terms of the law.
*ON THE NATIONAL GENERAL COUNCIL*
The NEC adopted the theme: "Towards hundred years of selfless struggle.
Working together to build a national democratic society".
The NGC will be the biggest political school ever with 2000 branch
delegates and additional 800 seats for invited guests, wherein the
mid-term review will be undertaken. We will be quantifying the progress
made in implementing the resolutions and the programme adopted by the
52nd National Conference. We will also assess progress made in
Government on the priorities contained in both the 2009 Elections
Manifesto and the 52nd National Conference resolutions.
The following framework for the business of the NGC was adopted:
1. The following reports will be tabled and discussed in the plenary of
the NGC:
* The Political Report will be tabled by the President.
* The State of the Organisation Report will be tabled by the
Secretary General.
* The Financial Report will be tabled by the Treasurer General.
2. The following Policy Papers will be presented in the plenary and
discussed by all the commissions; -
* Strategy and Tactics.
* Organisational Renewal.
* A discussion paper on Gender.
3. The following commissions will be set up; -
* Economic Transformation.
* Social Transformation.
* Education and Health.
* International Relations.
* Leadership Renewal.
* Local Government and Governance.
* Peace and Stability.
* Media and ICT.
All commissions will be guided by discussion documents prepared for the
NGC. All the papers are ready for distribution and the drafting
committee will refine them, add comments made by the NEC members and
distribute them by Friday. The chairperson of the ANC Policy Committee
and the Drafting Team will hold a special press conference to release
the NGC discussion documents during the course of the week.
*Issued by:*
*Gwede Mantashe*
*ANC Secretary General*
*African National Congress*
*54 Sauer Street*
*Johannesburg*
*2001*
* *
*24 July 2010*
* *
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