By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) held a meeting on Friday,reflected on key developments affecting the country and the organisation during the past year, as well as preparations for the 110th anniversary of the ANC on January 8, 2022.
It was the last meeting for the year of the NEC.
Covid-19
Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla,told the NEC that COVID-19 infections during the fourth wave have exceeded the previous peaks reached in the previous resurgences.
According to the Minister, the fourth wave, driven by the Omicron variant, has continued to spread rapidly across South Africa and has already been detected in at least 76 countries globally.
“In our country, all nine provinces are essentially in the fourth wave, although the Northern Cape is technically just about to enter fully.”
The NEC has urged all South Africans to vaccinate and also expressed its dissapointment at the decision by certain countries to impose travel restrictions on a number of Southern African countries in reaction to identification of Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus.
It’s wished President Cyril Ramaphosa and ANC deputy SG Jessie Duarte full recoveries from COVID-19.
60th Anniversary of Umkhonto we Sizwe
On 16 December,The ANC celebrated the 60th anniversary of liberation army,Umkhonto we Sizwe.
Deputy President David Mabuza said they were mindful of the challenges facing the party ahead of its 110 anniversary.
“The challenges are about divisions, factionalism, manipulation of structures to manufacture predetermined results with a sole aim of securing positions, corruption by those in public office, positions of authority and complete disregard of people’s interest whom we exist to serve in the first place,”said Mabuza.
The NEC reaffrimed the words of deputy president at the event.
Local Government
The NEC welcomed the establishment of new local government administrations following 2021 local government elections and notes the beating in recent elections but it maintains the ANC remains the biggest party in local government.
110 ANC Anniversary
The ANC has announced that the 110 anniversary will take place on January 8, 2022, in Limpopo.
Since its formation on January 8, 1912 the ANC has over the years celebrated their anniversary in different provinces.
The party promised that all Covid-19 protocols would be observed as the country is currently under a fourth wave.The members of the NEC will be deployed to all sub-regions in Limpopo, to engage with ANC structures, communities and local civil society organisations and sectors”
Regarding the medical parole of former president Jacob Zuma, the NEC calls for legal processes to be allowed to take their course.