By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) is meeting to fine-tune its policies and adopt new ones, with load-shedding, social grants, Reserve Bank independence, immigration rules and management of state companies among items on its agenda.
The policy changes were supposed to be debated at the ANC’s December national conference, where President Cyril Ramaphosa won a second term as party leader. However, that gathering was adjourned until Thursday because proceedings were delayed by registration glitches.
ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe says they have already done a “number of outstanding things” that they couldn’t do at Nasrec.
“All Commissions reports have been completed and delivered to Plenary for consideration and adoption. Delegates are currently discussing the reports and making input on the various policy areas.
While the ANC policies remain relevant and appropriate, ANC presidenct Cyril Ramaphosa said members need to be more focused on ensuring they are effective and implementable.
“Where our policies are inadequate or have shortcomings, we need to do things differently. At the core of the tasks identified by conference in December is the need to restore our relationship as a movement with the people of South Africa.
“Our duty as the ANC is to mobilise our people — but more importantly, as clearly set out in our constitution, it is to serve the people of South Africa. We have said that we need to earn the position of leader of society through our work among our people and we need to regain the confidence and the trust of the people of this country.
“Our duty as the ANC is therefore, principally, to be a servant of the people.
“We have also said that we need to acknowledge our weaknesses, but having acknowledged those weaknesses we need to work towards correcting our weaknesses.
“We need to demonstrate humility, honesty and integrity to our people.”
Meanwhile in the next two weeks, the party will clarify whether David Mabuza will continue in his role as the country’s deputy president, despite losing out to Paul Mashatile as party deputy president last month.
This was confirmed by newly elected ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula on Thursday morning.
Mbalula was addressing the media at the Imvelo Safari Lodge, about 5km from Bloemfontein, where the ANC is wrapping up its hybrid 55th national elective conference.
“What I can tell you right now is that we are seized with these matters [deliberating on whether to reshuffle Cabinet or not following some ministers not making it onto the new national executive committee]. In the next two weeks, not five years, we will be able to give you an answer.”
He said that the newly elected ANC officials “will apply their minds on the matter”.
He said that he would not elaborate further as he did not want to mislead the public before the ANC takes a position.
“The president is also looking at the issue of replacement in Cabinet. So in the next week after this national elective conference, we are hard at work in terms of the new restructuring.”