Comradely attitude, emancipative deeds... ”Here are the reins of the Movement, protect and guard its precious legacy, defend its unity and integrity as committed Disciples of change, pursue its popular objectives like true Revolutionaries who seek only to serve the Nation,” Articulated Mandela at the ANC’s 50th National Conference in 1997, held at Mafikeng.
I choose to perfectly align the above quote with the call for Cadre Development, during this phase demarcated as ‘the decade of the Cadre,’ in the sense that eligibility to protect the reins of the Movement, can only be achieved through distinctively excellent Cadreship. Unity and integrity can be preserved and boosted through the sharing of similar sentiments and pursuing common objectives like heeding the call of Cadre Development. Concurrently so, the above together blended with honesty and loyalty, can ascertain a solid output of integrity. Rule 2 of the ANC’s Constitution, under the aims and objectives of the ANC, subsection 2.1 stipulates that, the ANC seeks to “Unite all the people of South Africa, Africans in particular for the complete liberation of the country from all forms of discrimination and national oppression.” However it is the character of the very ANC that further binds the Movement to non-racism, non-sexism, democracy and prosperity. Hence the above mandate spreads through every geographical location throughout the country, uniting all people of South Africa irrespective of race, gender, creed or religious and political inclinations. Our forefathers mandated us to assume centre stage, and be the mid-wife organization of all pro-democratic Southern African Movements. This unity in action was informed by reasoning of consensual, indigenous African Renaissance conscious leaders, however, great leaders of other parts of the planet also respected the call for political involvement of all citizens. Quoting the words of John F Kennedy, when he said, “Political action is the highest responsibility of a citizen.” We can hence borrow this statement in sentiment, as citizenry is not only confined to Americans, but the entire people, have a place of their belonging. Heeding this call of Cadre Development, will ascertain involvement of all citizens of South Africa in political action, whereas political consciousness cements political stability and tolerance, amongst citizens with similar or contrasting views. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela uttered these words in inspiration directed to the then youth of our country, who had been assigned a mandate, to be critical in thought leaders of society. Education is not only restricted to the formal schooling system, but broad in the sense that political education is also encompassed within this broad term. This period, is a period uncharacterised by pride, but selflessness in contrast. This was evidenced by the Presidency of our Movement, when they consensually deployed Cde Kgalema Motlanthe, who was a rival of President Zuma in Conference, to spearhead Political schooling of the Movement throughout this tenure, as political schooling is central to this period. Contestation is manifestation of democracy, however unity within the ANC always prevails. Post-conference, leadership and disciplined members always strive to ascertain unity and cohesion within the Movement, and a full unanimous support of the elected collective is rendered. We must work hand in hand as the youth of this country, with the Head of Political schooling, to strategize around fashioning Political education in society. How we ought to spearhead the decade of the Cadre initiative As youth members of the Mass Democratic Movement, we need to model ideality of political action and proper coordination of one’s self. Pursue popular objectives as mandated by our Movement. However the how part is embedded within capacity development of an individual Cadre. We need to capacitate ourselves in a multi-dimensional way, be informative in all aspects and ascertain to the public domain, that indeed the ANC remains a strategic centre of power, intellectualism and prosperity. We must make our Mass Democratic Movement appeal, in meeting the lifestyle needs of the youth of nowadays. We need to be principal in terms of assuming forefront in ideological development, analysis and implementation. Be loyal to the overall aims and objectives of all policy positions aligned with our Movement. Invest time in individual and joint study and analysis of policy positions and other binding documents. Be relevant in terms of latest developments within the boundaries of the country and neighbouring countries, in paying homage and solidarity. Advance developments to phase out all traces of apartheid within society. Shape and channel the mindset of our youth, towards productivity and value of common objectives. Defend our Mass Democratic Movement at all cost and by all means. Fight for betterment, learn and educate others, in ascertaining another century of the ANC’s existence and a continous dominion in government. Cultivate the ANC culture and protocol strategically to neutral and opposing youth of South Africa. The above initiatives are achievable by youth with Comradely attitude, which subconsciously yields emancipative deeds. Time frames of development towards the final product, which is a Movement Conscious Cadre Time frames are irrelevant in nation building, however imperative in motivation, as many people are prone to working towards set targets or timeous goals. Hence we need to propose a draft of our strategic anticipation, as pertaining to developing Movement conscious Cadres. Milestones, evenly scattered to assist in effectifying the developmental period towards the final product, should be enlisted. However, exceptionally yielding the first Milestone, will instill energy and an unwaveringly solid drive towards the realization of the final product, the Movement Conscious Cadre who subscribes to committing emancipative deeds. A rough template of the strategic milestones that we ought to achieve, however open to rejection, criticism, both constructive and negative-bound, approval and acceptance. In essence, a skeleton of the idea. Initially; 1. Importance of involvement in political action of a youth member in South Africa. 2. The intellectual benefits of a politically inclined mind. 3. Importance of education in society. 4. Basic Introduction to politics, both government and Movement inclined. 5. The approved actions of a disciplined and policy abiding Cadre. 6. Political conceptualisation. (Starting with the Constitution) 7. Conceptualisation of political basic concepts. (Policy positions and other binding documents) 8. The benefits of eligibility of individual political study. 9. Group analysis of ideology, frameworks and effective political task administration. 10. The effects and merits of debate. 11. The common Strategy and tactics of the MDM. 12. Go out there and contribute meaningfully in society as a well groomed Cadre. Then upon achieving our set plan, we would notice a resounding shift of priority in society. I trust that our political Head together with the ANC NEC Sub-Committee Chairperson on Political education, Cde Nathi Mthethwa, inconjunction with youth formations of the PYA, would be eligible to structuring a workable system for us to utilize and upon perfect utilization, realize good impact upon our youth populace. “The more freedom we enjoy, the greater the responsibility we bear toward others as well as ourselves.” These are words of Oscar Arias Sanchez, a Statesman of Costa Rica. I quote these words as they are currently relevant in context to us, members of the youth, already aligned with the Mass Democratic Movement. The MDM has taught us democracy hence we ought to incur the responsibility of orientating newcomers to this democracy, we so understand. The strategic anticipation of the decade of the Cadre This phase aims at uniting the people of South Africa as a whole, behind the Mass Democratic Movement. It aims at cultivating common values, ethics, norms and patriotism. It anticipates a Cadre, conscious of the MDM, hands on in contributing meaningfully to development, political stability and the countries economy. A cadre who shall join in and contribute as history and legacy is crafted. A comrade of the masses, well-aware of the struggles of all classes of people in South Africa, pro-poor interest at heart and socialist in nature. A leader in society, who protects and harbors progressive South African views. Lastly the decade of the Cadre strives to produce a Cadre, of a comradely attitude and emancipative deeds. Let our Business people, incorporate this period in their advertisements. Let our Poets sing praises that possess relevant content to this phase. Let our Religious leaders preach this word of and approved by the broad church. Let our Politicians delve upon the strategic merits of the Decade of the Cadre. Let society unite and together join arms, in fighting relentlessly till the realization of the gist, of Cadre development. LeliZwe eloKhokho bethu, amandla! Mlungisi Xulu (writes in his own capacity, his views are not aligned with any formation that he has, or is currently serving) e-mail. : [email protected] blog. : http://mluxulu.wordpress.com Cell. : 071 518 6353 Alt. : 072 442 7856 “Deepen study levels to unleash maximum potential and fast-track the journey towards academal liberation” MP Xulu Mlu Xulu Principal Intelligence Executive Board Member [email protected] 0715455393 0724427856 -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] .
