ANC Today ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Vol 9 No 37, 18 - 24 September 2009 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- INSIDE THIS EDITION ---------------------------------------------------------------------- VIEWPOINT BY KGALEMA MOTLANTHE Our crafts constitute a foundation upon which we are building social cohesion in society Our indigenous cultures are tools we can use to heal our broken spirit as a nation and bring back social stability that is threatened by crime, violence against women and children as well as xenophobic tendencies. >>> More VIEWPOINT BY NATHI MTHETHWA We remain unmoved in the fight against crime and securing a better life for all We remain committed in ensuring a safe environment to the benefit of all South Africans. We will continue to work hard and smart to entrench successes and in areas where there have been some increases in crime, we re-commit ourselves to finding and working with all stakeholders to ensure we create a safer South Africa. >>> More REPORT ON THE ANC NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING The ANC NEC held its regular meeting on 18 - 20 September 2009 and made pronouncements on a number of issues facing society. >>> More ---------------------------------------------------------------------- EVENTS IN HISTORY ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 26 September 1996; Eugéne de Kock, at his application for amnesty at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings, alleged that a South African secret agent shot Olaf Palme, Swedish Prime Minister. Palme had an overtly and uncompromising critical position against the apartheid government. 28 September 1992; the apartheid government released 150 political prisoners in an attempt to reach a negotiated political settlement between the National Party government and the African National Congress. 30 September 1977; Winnie Mandela was released from banning order and house arrest. She used her freedom to attend meetings with Black Consciousness (BC) leaders. Winnie attended their trials and made fiery speeches. She warned that Black people were impatient and resentful and openly asked parents to join the newly formed Black Parents Association. 1 October 1987; Transkei Bantustan government was toppled by military after a bloodless coup. The army denied taking part in any coup and announced that ministers who resigned were not forced to do so. The coup came when Transkeians were anticipating a commissioned report on an alleged high-level government corruption. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- WEEK IN REVIEW ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Crime trends show progress but also a trend that criminals are now going for soft targets. Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa released the 2008/09 crime statistics which indicated a significant drop in murder, cash-in-transit, ATM attacks, banks and street robberies, but they also reported an increase in house robberies, sexual offences, business robberies, and car as well as truck hijackings. He stressed the ANC led-government’s unwavering commitment to fighting crime and securing a better life for all within the South African boarders. Judicial Services Commission shortlists seven judges The JSC announced its shortlist of seven judges to fill four positions vacated by retiring Justices of the Constitutional Court. The seven judges short-listed are, Justices Sisi Khampepe, Mandisa Maya, Chris Jafta, Leona Theron, Raymond Zondo, Mogoeng Mogoeng, and Johan Froneman. President Jacob Zuma will appoint four judges from this shortlist to fill the vacancies of the Constitutional Court. COSATU concludes its 10th Congress The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) concluded its tenth National Congress. It passed resolutions which lay the basis for advancing the interests and aspirations of the oppressed and exploited masses of our country particularly the workers. President Sidumo Dlamini, General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and Deputy General Secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali retained their respective positions. President Jacob Zuma delivers his maiden address to the UN General Assembly President Zuma accompanied by several cabinet ministers delivered his first address to the UN General Assembly. He called for the strengthening of global multilateral institutions in the face of the global crisis, underpinned by climate and the global economic meltdown. He also addressed a need for the reduction of world poverty and the reform of the UN Security Council. ANC MP passes on ANC Member of Parliament and long-standing ANC member, activist as well as Umkhonto We Sizwe cadre, Frans Ting-Ting Masango succumbed to a long struggle with diabetes. He was amongst the young activists who engineered the historic youth uprising in 1976 and also went to exile to join MK because he suffered the trauma of seeing hundreds of innocent children and young people, including my own relatives and friends, drop dead from police gunfire. That event shocked him into the realisation that the life of the black person has no value under apartheid, and he have none until the system is destroyed. He was also one of the four people who were sentenced to death in the Delmas Four trial. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- STATEMENTS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ANC sends its deepest condolences to Cde Zwelindzima Vavi and his family, 24 September 2009. http://www.anc.org.za/show.php?doc=ancdocs/pr/2009/pr0924.html ANC mourns the death of Tsepo Sunnyboy "MPHATHI" Nyalunga, 22 September 2009 http://www.anc.org.za/show.php?doc=ancdocs/pr/2009/pr0922.html Statement of the ANC National Executive Committee, 20 September 2009 http://www.anc.org.za/show.php?doc=ancdocs/pr/2009/pr0920.html Joint statement by ANC Commission on Religious Affairs and SACC, 18 September 2009 http://www.anc.org.za/show.php?doc=ancdocs/pr/2009/pr0918.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SPEECHES ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Keynote address by the Acting President of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe, on the occasion of Heritage Day Celebrations, 24 September 2009 http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/show.asp?include=deputy/sp/2009/sp09241627 .htm&ID=1999&type=sp Address by the President of the Republic of South Africa His Excellency Mr Jacob Zuma to the 64th United Nations General Assembly Debate, 23 September 2009 http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/show.asp?include=president/sp/2009/sp092301 .htm&ID=1998&type=sp Address by the Deputy President of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe, at the Cosatu Congress, 22 September 2009 http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/show.asp?include=president/pr/2009/pr09221157 .htm&ID=1786&type=pr Opening address by ANC President Jacob Zuma, at the 10th COSATU Congress, 21 September 2009 http://www.anc.org.za/show.php?doc=ancdocs/history/zuma/2009/jz0921.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ARTICLES ---------------------------------------------------------------------- VIEWPOINT BY KGALEMA MOTLANTHE Our crafts constitute a foundation upon which we are building social cohesion in society Multitudes of South Africans gathered in various areas to celebrate Heritage Day on the 24th September 2009, a day which carries a great deal of symbolism for our nation. This year’s theme “Celebrating South African Craft, Our Heritage”, calls upon us to focus our attention on the richness of South Africa’s cultural heritage whilst mindful of how our arts and crafts can be maximised to improve livelihoods. We are fortunate to be living on the most ancient continent that has over the years given unsparingly to the world, including in the field of art. As a nation we should tip our hats to the memory of our artistic luminaries and not only strive to produce many like them but to also keep up the standards they have set. Based on this common history that defines us, we can affirm that this Heritage Day seeks to remind us, in our diverse cultural outlook, that we are all South Africans with a common heritage. Since crafts are an aspect of culture, we are in a way celebrating our culture as South Africans, a culture steeped in our collective experiences and peculiar conditions that imbue us with our character as a people, as a nation. When we celebrate South African craft, our proud heritage, we are celebrating thousands of years of broader context of art as reflected in the Khoisan arts, among others, which resonate with our remarkable history of the arts, and which also reflects our recent past and our dynamic present. Our crafts constitute a foundation upon which we are building social cohesion in society, brick by brick, aware that through crafts and related aspects of our culture, we are able to supersede our difference, defined by this universal appeal of our crafts, our culture. Crafts speak a universal language and are appreciated across class, gender, race, and all other social barriers that keep us apart. We should be mindful of and appreciate the powers of crafts to transcend artificial barriers and contribute towards the building of a truly united society. For very good reasons the ANC-led government fully endorses and supports the strategic objectives of Heritage Day Celebrations which include: * To showcase the contribution of crafts to economic development of South Africa; * To promote the use of indigenous knowledge to design and produce; * To create an environment for the promotion of South Africa’s cultural expressions in South Africa and internationally; * To demonstrate the potential and role of crafts in creating jobs, alleviating poverty and forging of a national identity; * To forge cohesion among crafters and other stakeholders; and * To showcase unique South African crafts products in preparation for 2010 and beyond. At the same time that we focus on matters of providing basic services such as housing, water and electricity, it is of lasting benefit to cherish the positive story of our rich cultural heritage. It was through our songs, poetry and the arts that we marshalled the struggle for the liberation of our country. This is why it is so urgent that we resuscitate projects aimed at giving meaning to Ubuntu/ Botho, especially amongst the youth. A basic principle implied in Ubuntu/Botho urges us to be compassionate to those without food and to be kind to the elderly and infirm. Our indigenous cultures are tools we can use to heal our broken spirit as a nation and bring back social stability that is threatened by crime, violence against women and children as well as xenophobic tendencies. As the ANC-led government we have put in place, measures and mechanisms to assist those who are struggling to cope with food security, crop failure, high prices and job losses. Back to the land! Till the Land! We call on the people to organise themselves and creatively use the craft skills as a measure for self- employment or enterprise development in an effort to counter the job losses under the current economic situation. Among others, this response seeks to protect the poor, the unemployed and low- income earners from the effects of the recession. As part of this process, we encourage our people to use their own skills for income generation to minimise the effect of the global recession. One of the strategic objectives of this years’ heritage month is ‘to showcase the contribution of crafts to economic development’ and demonstrate the potential of arts and crafts in ‘creating jobs and alleviating poverty’. I have a firm belief in the untapped potential of thousands of crafters who can benefit from exposure to buyers locally and internationally. These are crafters who possess skills that have been handed down from generation to generation, skills such as basket-weaving, pottery, dress-making and instruments- making as income generators to improve the livelihood of rural and peri-urban communities especially in the light of international events such as the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Support given by the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) to small entrepreneurs in the arts and culture area, especially the craft sector reflects appreciation for the potential and possibilities that resort in this sector. It has been involved in a number of projects in the area of craft, mainly through the Investing in Culture Programme, which was started as part of the Reconstruction and Development Programme''s (RDP) Poverty Alleviation Programme of the ANC led- government. Between 2005 and 2009, a total of 409 projects have been supported to the tune of R255 million through the Investing in Culture Programme. At least 77 percent of these projects are in the craft area, 7 percent in music, another 7 percent in design, with 8 percent in the performing arts and only 1 percent in film. The programme has created jobs for 45 percent of the women, 39 percent for the youth, 12 percent for men and 4 percent for the disabled. We encourage the Department of Arts and Culture to continue investing in the second economy and use our intangible cultural heritage to derive income and wealth for our nation. I also congratulate David Tlale, a prolific South African designer for the opportunity he received to showcase his clothing range at the New York Fashion Week. His illustrious designs have earned him a great respect as a fashion designer and role model both at home and abroad. Once again, his achievements point to the countless new opportunities opened for our talented artists. A lot will be expected from us as the host of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We must take advantage of this soccer spectacle to showcase our rich heritage through our craft, music and dance. Re tshwanetse go bontsha lefase gore rona re batho bao ba ratago setso sa rena, gomme re rata le baeng ba rena. We must show the world that we love our culture and that South Africans are indeed hospitable. I urge you all not to underestimate the world’s expectation on us. We are not going to be judged only on the field of play but even on the richness of our cultural heritage. In our respective homes and communities we need to ask ourselves what is it that we are proud of and want to share with the rest of the world during 2010. Our artists must see this as an opportunity to showcase South Africa’s talent and creativity to the world. We should teach the next generation the importance of craft and ensure that we do not lose this talent to amnesia induced by time. Our appreciation of this aspect of our lives must permeate our daily lives both at the material and conscious level as a people. As we celebrate our achievements in this beautiful area of human activity, let us do so knowing that craft, as art, is to human history as precious as the air we breathe. As the great poet of our people Don Mattera said: " Afrika, Afrique Beautiful mother, beloved Continent, This is your time, your moment, your century Etched on the golden scroll of history Afrika, this is your time, your century, your right Afrikans arise, unite! You are the architects of your fate the victims of self-hate; bring enlightment, renewal and dignity no more "sorrow songs’ but anthems of victory astound, confound with unconquerable might," (Kgalema Motlhante is the ANC Deputy President and Deputy President of the Republic. This is an edited extract of his address at the Heritage Day celebrations.) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VIEWPOINT BY NATHI MTHETHWA We remain unmoved in the fight against crime and securing a better life for all There are many factors that speak to the continued relevance of a multipronged approach in the fight against crime, combining aspects of crime prevention, crime combating, and the improvement of socio-economic conditions and strengthening of the spirit of Ubuntu and human solidarity among citizens. In the various break-down of crime trends over the past fiscal year, there are areas where we are making progress. At the same time there are other areas where we are still lagging behind. Nevertheless, the ANC government remains unmoved in its commitment to securing a better life for all and the fight against crime is an integral part of ensuring this better life. The ANC led-government releases crime statistics once a year to provide the public with an indication of the crime situation in the country. Crime statistics are used daily as a management tool to guide operational plans for the South African Police Service. The release of the statistics is not merely to quantify crime or to create a debate in our society. It is a call to action for government, Business, Non- Governmental Organisations and communities. Contact crime currently accounts for 32.7% of all crimes. It is this form of crime with which violence is normally associated. We are encouraged by the decrease in five of the seven contact crime types. Conversely, there are certain types of crime which increased during this same period. These increases serve to dampen some of our enthusiasm regarding the overall decrease in contact crimes. There are four areas reflected in the crime statistics that we are not happy about and in which crime has increased. These areas are: robbery with aggravated circumstances, sexual offences, stock theft and commercial crime. In assessing aggravated robberies there are three areas that account for the increase. These areas are business robberies, house robberies and hijackings. The area where the biggest increase occurred was in the small and informal business areas. Over the last few months we have been engaging the business community to assess how we can better work together to reduce these robberies. Arising from these meetings, a number of key areas have been identified and have started to assist us in dealing more effectively with this form of crime. It is important to recognise that the police need to do more to assist and protect small businesses. However we are also aware that certain factors like the availability of cash (often linked to the difficulty these businesses face when it comes to access banking services) and the unavailability of resources to implement crime prevention measures contributes to making these businesses vulnerable. Over the next few months we will be engaging both large and smaller businesses in an attempt to see how we can support each other to reduce robberies at small business premises. We need to look at what technological measures can be introduced to assist in reducing the risks incurred by small business. Already joint SAPS/business initiatives are being piloted in Johannesburg Central and Tembisa, these initiatives focus specifically on robberies at small businesses. The lessons learnt from these two pilots will be rolled out to other areas of the country. To address business robberies more generally we are working towards consolidating our partnership with business. This partnership seeks to jointly improve our efforts through, enhanced police and business crime prevention measures and improving alignment between the business sector and government. We are confident that as we move forward with this partnership which focuses on a government-directed and led strategy supported by business, we will be able to assist in making South Africa a safer place to do business. Cash-in-transit robberies declined by 2,3% during this period. Over the last two months, the Department of Police has focused considerable attention on the area of cash-in-transit robberies. We have started consulting with business people regarding improvement of standards within the industry and we have also had a number of successes in the arrest and foiling of such robberies. There is no doubt the improved standards coupled with the proactive measures taken by SAPS have dealt a serious blow to cash-in-transit heist criminals. We are also concerned about the increase in house robberies. It is one of the crimes that are the most intrusive and personalise the crime experience. We simply cannot tolerate a situation where people do not feel safe in their own homes. Again we recognise that SAPS needs to do more to address this form of crime. Under the leadership of the National Commissioner of Police an audit has started in earnest to look at how we effectively deploy our resources. Equally we realise that we need greater engagement with affected communities. They must ensure that those that represent them on the Community Police Forums are an equal partner with the police in establishing the programme of action in addressing the needs and to monitor the implementation thereof. This engagement will assist us in refining our approach to dealing with house robberies. We have recently piloted an initiative in Honeydew involving the SAPS and Private Security companies active in the area that is aimed at reducing the risks associated with house robberies. We are currently evaluating the lessons and successes, and based on this evaluation we will develop a national approach to these crimes. The final form of aggravated robbery that has increased significantly is that of both car and truck hijackings. In finding solutions to this we will look at the strategies and approaches that worked in the past and draw lessons from them. The passing of the Second Hand Goods Act and the finalisation of regulations that will be implemented in January 2010 will go some way in curtailing the local market for illicit vehicles. We are also going to make greater use of technology to assist us in tracking and identifying such vehicles. Technology such as Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) has already been piloted within SAPS. In dealing with the illicit regional trade in vehicles a number of interventions are planned. Some of these include working with other regional police agencies to strengthen the implementation of regional protocols and agreements surrounding the movement of vehicles and increases our capacity to embark on strategic joint operations such as Operation Salamanga. We anticipate that with the election of our National Commissioner as the head of Southern African Regional Police Chief's Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) and the subsequent election of South Africa to chair the SARPCCO Council of Ministers, we will be able to use our positions to advance our tactics regarding cross border crime. Over the last year we have implemented a number of policing strategies to address house, business and vehicle robberies. Some of these strategies have yielded considerable success. One such example is the introduction in some provinces of the War Room concept. Through this concept, suspects involved in violent organised crime have been tracked, linked to crimes and arrested. We are now looking to the newly formed Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) to consolidate these efforts. The DPCI is still relatively new but we are already witnessing successes. The arrest of a number of cash-in transit robbers together with the recovery of firearms used in these crimes is an example of some of these successes. Equally the DPCI played an integral part in the successful drug seizure here and in the United Kingdom when they arrested a drug syndicate operating from Durban and seized drugs worth more than R500 million. Another area we are not happy about is the increase in sexual offences. We are cognisant of the fact that at least in part, this increase can be attributed to changes in legislation. Under the new Sexual Offences Act, a number of new categories of crime are now included as part of sexual offences. On this matter we will only be able to do comparisons starting at the end of next year. Despite the overall increase in sexual offences, we are heartened by the slight decline in crimes against women and children though we are still not totally satisfied. Violence against women and children is still prevalent in our society and it militates against our national effort to create a caring and humane society that is underpinned by values of human solidarity, justice, peace and development. The closure of special units that have focused on some of these crimes against women and children has led to significant debate. Issues surrounding the need for certain types of crimes to be addressed by people with specialised knowledge and experience have been raised. We have listened to these debates on the reintroduction of these specialised units, in particular the child protection and sexual offences units. SAPS are now looking at their reintroduction as directed by the Ministry. We are auditing available capacity with the view to strengthening these units. The increase in stock theft also poses a serious challenge. This form of crime negatively impacts on the lives of people living in rural communities and requires our particular attention. Our history is characterised among others, by deliberate neglect of rural areas. The birth of democracy saw a shift in approach. The ANC led-government has now placed the issue of rural development high on the agenda which must find concrete expression in our policing strategy. Once again the SAPS has begun the process of locating this as a key focal area. We are going to enhance the capacity of our units. Another area that requires our attention is the increase in commercial crime. This is an area that requires more focused attention by both business and government. The structural integration of crime intelligence and DPCI is a key factor in addressing this type of crime. We have started this overview by focusing on the negatives because it is important that we admit our challenges and seek to find concrete means of addressing them. However we also need to look at some of our successes because this can assist us to identify what has worked and helps us to adapt some of our approaches to the challenges we face. There are four key areas where we are happy to say we have seen decreases over the last year. These areas include: * Murder and attempted murder. Both these forms of crime have been steadily declining over the last couple of years. We are pleased to say that they have continued to decline over the last fiscal year. * Common Assault and Assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) have also declined. We are encouraged to see that this decline is consistent with previous years. * The dramatic decline in bank robberies is extremely encouraging. The partnership developed between the business and government, resulted in increased arrests of perpetrators, strict bail application and conditions for offenders and measures introduced by the banks themselves. * It is equally encouraging that attacks on Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) (which is listed as a specific category in our crime statistics) also declined. The decrease can be attributed to improved police responses and approaches as well as enhanced cooperation with the banking sector. * One of the largest categories of aggravated robberies is that of street robberies. The decline in both street robberies and common robberies is undoubtedly a positive trend. Despite the decline the number of street robberies still remains unacceptably high and we need to ensure that we do not become complacent. We must continue to give attention to this form of crime. Looking forward there are a number of key areas of focus for the SAPS which we believe will contribute to reducing crime levels in the country. Some of these measures include: * A more concerted focus on the role that intelligence can play in supporting our approach to crime. We have recognised that intelligence should act as a nerve centre and has a crucial role to play in all aspects of policing. We are currently revitalising our intelligence component. * We have been working with the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development on amendments to Section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act. We are at the stage of finalising these amendments which will go before parliament during the 4th session of this year. These changes are being made in order to strengthen the hand of the police in dealing with violent criminals. We are generally humbled by the support shown by the majority of the members of the public in this regard. It is important to mention at this point, that trigger happy members must not think that this is a license to kill. It is a measure aimed specifically at dealing with serious violent crimes and dangerous criminals. Alongside these changes, we have strengthened the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD). We see the strengthening of the ICD as an important measure to ensure that changes to Section 49 are not abused. Legislation to this effect will be introduced in due course. * The government has focused attention on the revamping of the Criminal Justice System. The basis for this is to ensure a far better integration of the different departmental role players in the Criminal Justice environment. SAPS have focused considerable energy on efforts to establish a transformed Criminal Justice System. In this regard we have started to increase the number of detectives and focus on intensified and improved training aimed at reaching a guilty verdict. We believe that if we can considerably increase our conviction rate that trust in the SAPS and the Criminal Justice system will improve. It is our belief that while there is still significant work to be done, the work that has been done over the last year provides a strong base upon which we can build. We are also hoping that the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill will be finalised during the 4th session of Parliament this year. * It is apparent to all of us that the police alone cannot win the fight against crime. We acknowledge that criminals do not live in isolation from communities. Therefore, we need to deepen our partnership with communities. In this regard, the Ministry has established a dedicated unit to focus on deepening the interaction with communities, civil society, business, faith-based organisations and the different spheres of government. * Management and control of some of our borders is a major challenge. Cabinet has recently agreed that, at least until 2010, the SANDF will be re-engaged in securing our borderlines. The Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster has also been tasked by Cabinet to address the matter of border control. The cluster is developing a comprehensive approach and plan to deal with this area. We are profoundly distressed by the number of South African Police Services members who have died in the line of duty. On behalf of the department our sincere condolences go out to the families and loved ones of those officers who gave their lives so bravely. We will persist in addressing the dangers that face our heroes and heroines in blue and to find ways of implementing measures to protect them. We wish to reconfirm our unwavering commitment to fight crime and work towards ensuring a safe environment to the benefit of all South Africans, those who live in South Africa, those who live within our boarders and those who are our visitors and tourist in our country. In areas where there have been positive in- roads, we wish to reiterate that we will continue to work hard and smart to entrench these successes. Accordingly, in areas where there have been some increases in crime, we re-commit ourselves to finding and working with all stakeholders to ensure we create a safer South Africa. This is our mission and this is our conviction. (Nathi Mthethwa is an ANC NEC member and Minister of Police. This is an edited extract of his address on the occasion of the release of the Crime Statistics for the 2008/09 Fiscal year.) -------------------------------------------- REPORT ON THE ANC NATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING The ANC NEC held its regular meeting on 18 - 20 September 2009. On the ANC National Spokesperson: The NEC has appointed Jackson Mthembu as the ANC National Spokesperson to succeed Jessie Duarte who has since joined The Presidency as Chief Operations Officer. On the resignation of Comrade Bheki Cele from the NEC: It also considered and accepted Bheki Cele’s resignation as an NEC member following his appointment as the National Commissioner of Police, and in accordance with police regulation. The NEC accepted and applauded this move. On the Organisation Renewal: The NEC dedicated much time on President Jacob Zuma's political overview, which focused largely on the renewal of the ANC and implementation of our election manifesto by government. It reaffirmed the Polokwane resolutions, to restore power back to the ANC branches. It highlighted some of the issues and took the following decisions: * a Political education program will soon be outlined, and will be conducted in a manner that is accessible to all our members. * a proactive ANC involved in mass campaigns on key ANC priorities such as education, health, and rural development. On the Local Government: The NEC expressed concern on the violence accompanying "service delivery" protests. It said, “The unprecedented lawlessness that characterizes some of these current protests cannot be allowed to continue and must be taken serious.” The ANC will take a broader view in dealing with these struggles, by addressing the historic spatial planning problems and also resolving genuine problems facing communities The ANC will convene a Local Government Summit next year in order to address a range of issues raised by the NEC, as part of its preparation for Local Government Elections and the Manifesto. The NEC will continue with its visit to all the regions to give it the necessary understanding and insight on the local government issues. The NEC welcomed the official launch of the BRT and expressed that it should not only be viewed as a means of transport but also as means of integrating townships with nearest cities - thus contributing to nation-building. The BRT will also relieve the financial burden from the majority of our people and will close the gaps created by apartheid spatial planning. Recent Protest by Members of the SA Defence Force: The recent public protest by some members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) made the NEC realize the error of allowing unionisation of the military. The interpretation of the Court Order that a forum for engagement and negotiations need to be created for soldiers means unionisation should be revisited and the process of de-unionisation should begin, while a formal structure for engagement is being created in the SANDF. The appointment of the Commission to pay attention and correct the historic neglect under which soldiers work will be part of this complex process On Alliance Relations: The NEC agreed that an urgent Alliance Secretariat, followed by an Alliance Summit, need to be convened urgently in order to take forward progress made since the 52nd ANC National Conference. The NEC acknowledged that long time lapses between Alliance Summits create unnecessary misunderstandings and negative perceptions amongst alliance partners. The NEC further agreed that the ANC delegation attending the COSATU National Congress should provide leadership and contribute to the building of a strong federation. On the 2012 ANC National Conference: The NEC noted the premature public succession debate for the 2012 National Conference. It agreed that the debate is a distraction and should be discontinued. All ANC structures were directed to disengage from this debate and focus on the implementation of the National Conference Resolutions and the 2009 Manifesto commitments. On the National Question: The NEC reaffirmed that the ANC is a non-racial organisation defined to lead our country to a united, non-racial, and non-sexist democratic and prosperous South Africa. Our ethnic, cultural and religious diversity should serves to further unite us. Part of the ANC political education work will involve educating our members on the principles of non-racialism. This is the essence of the National Democratic Revolution. On Zimbabwe: The NEC expressed satisfaction on the progress made in the attempts to resolve the Zimbabwe question. The recent visit by President Zuma crystallized and entrenched the South African position in this matter. The NEC expressed commitment to continue engaging all the parties in Zimbabwe to make the Global Political Agreement work. On the National Planning: The NEC welcomed the publication of the Green paper on the National Planning Commission and the Monitoring and Evaluation. It invited all South Africans to contribute in shaping these two important policy initiatives. On the Presidential hotline: The NEC welcomed the Presidential hotline as a positive development in bringing government closer to the people. The hotline responds to the ANC call to ensure that government interacts directly with the masses, in order to be responsive to challenges our communities experience on a daily basis. On Caster Semenya: The ANC expressed its disgust at the manner in which the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) and Athletics South Africa (ASA) have handled the Caster Semenya issue. The NEC's view is that Caster has been victimized and subjected to unnecessary public scrutiny, thus denying her dignity. It decided to support her politically. The next NEC meeting will take place on 06th to 08th November 2009. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This issue of ANC Today is available from the ANC web site at: http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/anctoday/2009/at38.htm To receive ANC Today free of charge by e-mail each week go to: http://www.anc.org.za/anctoday.php To unsubscribe yourself from the ANC Today mailing list go to: http://www.anc.org.za/anctoday.php