Business Day
*ANC mining policy resolution made known* *Carol Paton, Business Day, Johannesburg, 27 September 2012 *THE final wording of the African National Congress (ANC) resolution on nationalisation adopted at its June policy conference has been made available at last.
The wording was highly controversial during discussion at the conference, with some delegates accusing the leadership of trying to water down sentiment expressed in the plenary.
In its final form, the resolution calls for bold state intervention in the economy, which must include "state ownership".
It also calls for the more strategic use of state-owned companies, as well as strategic nationalisation, where deemed appropriate on the balance of evidence.
However, delegates at the policy conference rejected "wholesale nationalisation".
Although the issue will still be open for debate at the party's conference in December, the final wording of the June resolution gives some certainty on the ultimate outcome.
For the mining sector, the resolution makes clear that most of the proposals in the ANC's state intervention in the mining sector report --- commissioned last year --- will be accepted in December.
However, it includes the specific suggestion that "strategies to increase the supply of coal at competitive prices" should be engaged as a means to bring down energy prices.
The proposal for a youth wage subsidy, which would incentivise employers to hire young people, survives, despite reports that it was rejected by delegates at the policy conference in June.
On youth unemployment, a resolution proposes that "urgent and extraordinary measures are required" to get more people into the workplace.
"Some of the proposals on the table include those contained in the National Youth Development Strategy, a tax credit to incentivise youth employment, the provision of training subsidies and a youth work-seekers' grant," the resolution reads.
It recommends that a discussion on youth unemployment --- which included the private sector, youth organisations and trade unions --- be held with the intention of achieving "consensus in the form of a compact or accord on youth unemployment".
The party also resolves that "urgent steps" should be taken to protect its image and enhance its standing in society by ensuring, among others, "that urgent action is taken to deal with public officials, leaders and members of the ANC who face damaging allegations of improper conduct".
"In addition, measures should be put in place to prevent abuse of power or office for private gain or factional interests. The ANC can no longer allow prolonged processes that damage its integrity."
Delegates at the policy conference also resolved that a presidential commission be appointed to "review the provinces, and make proposals on, among other issues, the role of provinces and the number the country should have and their possible boundaries".
*From: http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/mining/2012/09/27/anc-mining-policy-resolution-made-known*
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