By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised the party’s commitment to taking decisions in the best interests of the people of South Africa.
Ramaphosa, in his closing address at the ANC NEC Lekgotla in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni on Tuesday, said the elections had provided critical direction for the party, government, and country.
The party had been locked in meetings for the past three days, where it was assessing its performance in the elections and also deliberating on the tasks that lie ahead.
According to Ramaphosa, the lekgotla defined the actions the ANC needed to take in government, their movement, communities and other areas of society to advance fundamental social and economic transformation.
He said, this lekgotla has underscored the centrality of the ANC structures, especially in communities, and the quality of ANC members who must undertake work in every community and sector of society. We have said that we cannot undertake the tasks required of us if we do not unite, strengthen and renew the ANC.
Ramaphosa said the ANC had now reaffirmed its determination to achieve a national democratic society and this was a vision they would not retreat from.
He said the ANC agreed that the challenging conditions they needed to “prosecute the national democratic revolution (NDR)” demanded greater discipline, application and focused execution of their decisions.
“These new conditions require that we be innovative and agile in dealing with the pressing problems of the people in every locality across the length and breadth of our country. They also require that we be firm and unwavering in our strategic intent and foresight, while remaining flexible in our tactics,” Ramaphosa said.
“As the 2024 elections have reminded us and as we know from our history, there is no way that we can advance the NDR without effective and active structures of the alliance and the broad democratic movement.
“By the same measure, we need ANC members, volunteers, cadres and leaders who are committed, selfless and capable. They should be people who have integrity and display advanced levels of political consciousness.”
Outlining the key areas and commitments that were contained in its manifesto, which the ANC planned to implement and translate into the seventh administration, he said the lekgotla confirmed that, among the many actions the party needed to take, their priority at this time was inclusive economic growth.
He said such growth was a process that would create employment for the millions of South Africans with no jobs today.
South Africa’s unemployment stood at 32.9% in the first quarter of 2024, according to Stats SA.
Ramaphosa said the lekgotla also showed that there was a need to finalise an overarching economic policy integrating transport, energy, logistics, mineral beneficiation and industrialisation.
“As we undertake this task, we must, as a matter of urgency, intensify the work to drive investment in infrastructure and productive economic activity. We must complete the reforms that are currently under way to improve the efficiency and capacity of our network industries, especially electricity, transport and logistics, water and telecommunications,” he said.
“We recognise that participation in economic activity is the most effective way to lift people out of poverty and improve their lives on a sustainable basis. We also recognise that we must use the substantial capabilities of the state to far greater effect to reduce poverty and shield people from the high cost of living.
“This requires us to strengthen social protection measures, such as grants and the provision of subsidised services, while providing people with pathways into economic activity and skills development.
“We have said that, among the steps we must take to address the rising cost of living, we must conduct a study and review the mechanisms for determining various administered prices, such as fuel and electricity, and look to expand the list of basic goods that are VAT exempt.”
Ramaphosa continued that, through organisational renewal, the party needed to promote principled, transformative and emancipatory activism and politics.
He said the lekgotla once again confirmed that the ANC must “proceed without delay and with greater energy” with the renewal of its movement.
Ramaphosa has urged ANC members, especially those in government, to avoid showcasing their lavish lifestyles, as it may create the impression that they are superior to the people they serve.
Ramaphosa reminded them that they were communicators of what the ANC stands for and cannot be making headlines for the wrong reasons.
He was emphasising the point that if the ANC wanted to rule again and renew itself, members must behave and serve the people like they are mandated to.
“The renewal of the ANC must be reflected in our everyday behaviour, on how we conduct ourselves in public platforms and what we post on social media. Let us not occupy headlines for the wrong reasons. Let us be known for excellence and competence.