11 December 2007
The ANC National Executive Committee (NEC), which met in Ekurhuleni yesterday (10 December 2007), conducted a final review of preparations for the ANC 52nd National Conference.
The conference begins on Sunday 16 December 2007 at the University of Limpopo in Polokwane.
The meeting considered the political, organisational and financial reports it is required to present to conference, the programme and rules, and the logistical arrangements for what is the largest ANC conference to date.
The NEC reviewed the draft of the Secretary General’s organisation report in detail, which covers the work and state of the organisation over the last five years. The report provides a record of the main programmes, activities and organisational developments since the last National Conference, in Stellenbosch in 2002. It also provides a critical analysis of the achievements, shortcomings, strengths and weaknesses of the organisation.
The report is expected, among others, to form the basis for commission discussions on organisational renewal, constitutional amendments and the ANC programme of action to 2012.
The NEC confirmed its confidence in the delegates to conference to rise to the challenge of charting a path for the movement for the next five years, to unite and strengthen the movement, and to adopt policies and programmes that make a real difference to the lives of all South Africans, particularly the poor. In this, conference delegates will be required to faithfully reflect the views of the general membership of the ANC.
Delegates will also need to demonstrate the discipline and commitment to this task that the structures who mandated them will expect. It is important that participants at conference, whether delegates, observers or guests, desist from any conduct that may be divisive, disruptive or otherwise deviate from the democratic traditions of the movement.
The conference rules, which will be adopted at the opening of conference, prohibit the display or distribution of material that is divisive or may promote factionalism. Conference participants may, therefore, not wear t-shirts or other clothing featuring any of the candidates for election to the NEC. This prohibition includes official ANC t-shirts produced for past election campaigns.
To ensure that delegates are able to exercise their democratic rights and responsibilities without interference, only accredited delegates, whose participation has been determined in accordance with the ANC constitution, will be allowed access to the conference precint and immediate surroundings.
The NEC received a report on the credentials for conference. Almost all of the 4,075 voting delegates have now registered. In addition, conference will also be attended by 450 non-voting ANC delegates, 135 observers from allied organisations, and 360 local and international guests.
The NEC endorsed the process being undertaken in the Free State, under the guidance of the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) and the NEC deployees, to hold branch general meetings in three regions affected by a recent court case.
There will also be 200 support staff, over 1,000 service providers, and nearly 700 representatives of media organisations.
Work has been completed on the erection of the main conference structures, including the plenary venue, which seats 5,000 people; the dining area, which can serve 3,000 people at a time; and various structures for support services.
An inspection of all the residences has been completed, and these are ready for occupation by delegates, all of whom will be arriving during the course of Saturday.
All participants will receive their accreditation on Saturday 15 December at a registration centre that has been set up in an aircraft hangar at Polokwane International Airport. Only people who have pre-registered will be given accreditation.
The NEC emerged from its meeting confident that all political preparations and logistical arrangements are in place for a productive and successful conference, one which will stand the ANC in good stead as it advances to its centenary in 2012.
More information: Smuts Ngonyama 082 994 2112 or Tiyani Rikhotso on 0798 79 79 74