WRAP | ANC Conference: Party continues briefings on its resolutions

ANC must earn the trust of South Africans, Ramaphosa tells conference delegates

The ANC must earn the trust of South Africans, President Cyril Ramaphosa said as he reopened the party's conference on Thursday, after it failed to conclude on time in December.

South Africans will know in next two weeks if Mabuza is still their deputy president, Mbalula vows

In the next two weeks, the ANC 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 in December.

ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe says they have already done a "number of outstanding things" that they couldn't do at Nasrec. All commission reports have been completed.

- Jan Gerber

Mabe says they will receive a report on the constitutional amendments later. They are doing it last, because they need a two-thirds majority.

- Jan Gerber

Mabe says the media will later be invited to the plenary for the conference declaration. Later on, the media will also be briefed on the commission's resolutions.

- Jan Gerber

Mabe says the "presidential golf day" will take place tomorrow at the Bloemfontein Golf Club.

There the NEC will meet from 16:00.

On Saturday President Cyril Ramaphosa will meet with farmers, "which is a constituency the ANC takes seriously". In the evening there will be a fundraising gala dinner.

- Jan Gerber

Tomorrow's NEC meeting is "special", says Mabe. Its task is to conclude the statement Ramaphosa will deliver on Sunday. There will be a "photo opportunity" for the media. 

- Jan Gerber

In response to a question, Mabe says they are "likely" to finish before midnight.

- Jan Gerber

"This hybrid conference is a great success," says Mabe.

- Jan Gerber

Mabe claims "people are quite happy to see the ANC in town".

- Jan Gerber

The briefing concludes.

#ANC55NC RESUMES https://t.co/Dt4HpfJiGp

— African National Congress #ANC111 (@MYANC) January 5, 2023

ANC 55th NATIONAL CONFERENCE CONTINUES

All Commissions have delivered reports to Plenary for consideration and adoption. Delegates are currently discussing the reports and making input on the various policy areas #ANC55 pic.twitter.com/nNe2VOTWc8

— African National Congress #ANC111 (@MYANC) January 5, 2023

The ANC is presenting the resolutions to its commissions. 

David Makhura is addressing the media.

Makhura says the reports will not be distributed to members of the media just yet. 

"28 years into democracy, race remains a big issues," says Makhura, who adds that anyone who denies this doesn't live in the real world. He says just because you adopted and have a Constitution, you can't say racism has been resolved.

- Jan Gerber

Makhura says another "contradiction" is women's oppression. He says the ANC champions full equality between men and women.

"Despite all the progress we have made, there remain major challenges." He says women bear the brunt of all social ills.

- Jan Gerber

Makhura says for them the key issue is 'fundamental transformation" or radical economic transformation. He said the party has done an assessment and found in some areas there has been progress; in others there has been stagnation. In others, the party has regressed.

"We have made progress in varying degrees."

- Jan Gerber

Makhura says they want ANC members to distinguish themselves as the "most committed" to transformation and Constitutional democracy.

He says the ANC historically championed a Constitutional democracy. "ANC members must understand a Constitutional democracy was not a strategic compromise."

He says their constitutionalism is transformative and not to maintain the status quo.

- Jan Gerber

He says changing the economic structure of South Africa is something the ANC will not apologise for.

- Jan Gerber

"We live in a period where there is a crisis of neo-liberalism," says Makhura.

He says 30 years after the rise of neoliberalism and its focus on the economic market, there is now much scientific evidence that reliance on the markets and minimal state involvement doesn't work.

"That policy paradigm has failed," he says.

- Jan Gerber

The ANC is inspired by progressive governments in south America, but is concerned about the rise of populism, and conservatism in Europe.

The ANC also observes the rise of China as a global power and considers Brics as an important regional block. But the rise of Brics and China is being countered by conservative forces.

- Jan Gerber

Makhura says the ANC's conclusion is that the "war in Ukraine" is no longer a war between Russia and Ukraine.

"It is now a war that undermines global peace." He says South Africa's historical position is to be non-aligned and that negotiations must resolve the conflict.

- Jan Gerber

The conference discussed the impact of climate change, says Makhura. "The conference says climate change is not a rumour, it is not fake news. It is real."

He says this must be tackled decisively and a low-carbon path must be adopted, but it must be "just and fair'. He says the global North has contributed more to climate change.

- Jan Gerber

The ANC is concerned about conflicts in Africa, says Makhura. "Military regimes are not going to bring about development," he says.

- Jan Gerber

The conference has started looking at what has been achieved in 30 years of democracy (which will be celebrated in 2024).

They reject the notion that living in South Africa was better under apartheid.

"There have been substantial gains that must be defended," says Makhura.

He says the Constitution isn't just something on paper. "We live by this Constitution, we defend it," he says. "To criticise the Constitutional Court can't be a crime." He claims the Constitution was brought about by the ANC, not by compromise, but by choice.

- Jan Gerber

"We have set our economy on a path of growth," insists Makhura.

- Jan Gerber

"The ANC has arrived at a conclusion at this conference that gains have been made," says Makhura, adding that there also have been "setbacks".

"There are issues that threaten our Constitutional democracy," he says.

"We have chronic poor performance of our economy." He says it can reverse the gains of democracy. Rising criminality and violence are another one of these "setbacks".

"Racism is rearing its ugly head," says Makhura. "We have an energy crisis. We have the rising cost of living.

"He also adds state capture and corruption, which led to the erosion of public trust.

He says the ANC is dealing with these "setbacks" that threaten to erode democracy.

He says the "right-wing and conservative forces" in South Africa are becoming more aggressive.

- Jan Gerber

"We are not in the best position that we have been before to advance the transformation agenda," says Makhura, referring to the ANC's electoral prospects.

He says the state needs to sharpen its instruments to deal with racism.

- Jan Gerber

The ANC will boldly review its policies, says Makhura.

- Jan Gerber

"We will not tolerate corruption and incompetence in our ranks," says Makhura.

- Jan Gerber

"The alliance [with the SACP and Cosatu] needs to be relooked," says Mahura.

"There is no doubt that we need the alliance." He says the need to adapt to the changing environment 30 years into democracy.

- Jan Gerber

"This conference has agreed that coalitions are an important part of our tactics, not strategy," says Makhura.

He says they will work with those parties who agree with them on a range of issues. The ANC wants more stability in coalitions and would consider such legislation. "We are not going to chase any coalition partner just to be in government." The party will not enter into coalitions with "right-wing" partners.

- Jan Gerber

"We can't tolerate racism," says Makhura, but adds that they didn't discuss specific measures like legislation to stop it. This will be left to government.

- Jan Gerber

Makhura says they had a very heated debate, sponsored by the Western Cape, on the "national question".

"So we are very critical of ourselves." He says they want a truly non-racial society and a truly non-racial economy. He says they have trouble reflecting on what the ANC stands for.

- Jan Gerber

"You know that we accept that we have dropped the ball," says Makhura. "The gains I have referred to, many still have to taste a better life."

- Jan Gerber

Makhura was asked how the ANC could say it is serious about GBV when Mdu Manana was elected to the NEC.

He says he doesn't want to speak about specific individuals, but the ANC is serious about GBV.

- Jan Gerber

Makhura's briefing is concluded.

- Jan Gerber

The ANC briefing on its resolutions continues into Thursday night.

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