12 February 2008
The National Working Committee of the African National Congress held its regular meeting in Johannesburg yesterday (11 February 2008).
The NWC discussed various ways of conserving electricity against the background of the current power shortages facing the country.
It agreed that the ANC should launch a nationwide energy efficiency campaign to be spearheaded by all members and structures of the movement.
This campaign would see every member of the ANC embarking on a door-to-door community awareness exercise, encouraging all South Africans to 'SAVE ELECTRICITY TODAY SO THAT WE HAVE IT TOMORROW.'
All those involved in the campaign would be provided with pamphlets containing energy saving measures.
The NWC also discussed the forthcoming ANC provincial conferences.
The meeting expressed concern over the opportunistic and unprincipled conduct of the structures of COSATU in the North West province, that have drawn up a list of their so-called 'preferred' individuals who should be elected into leadership positions at the provincial conference of the ANC.
The NWC wishes to reiterate that the nomination and election of leaders of the ANC, from the Branch Executive Committees to the National Executive Committee, remain the exclusive right and duty of ANC structures, including the ANC Women's and Youth Leagues.
The ANC believes that lobbying is a natural course in any election process but touting a list of candidates on behalf of the ANC is tantamount to disrespect for the structures of the movement.
Our branches and other structures will at the appropriate time engage the process of nominating possible members of our Provincial Executive Committees.
Throughout the many decades of the existence of our Tripartite Alliance, composed of the ANC, the SACP and COSATU (and earlier SACTU), the ANC has never sought to dictate the composition of the leadership collectives of our allied organisations.
Neither has these allied formations ever formally sought to determine the composition of the leadership of the ANC, treating with contempt the sovereign right of bona fide members of the ANC to elect their leaders.
Equally, the ANC calls on all its members to desist from behaviour that threatens the unity and discipline of the movement. We unequivocally condemn reports of the apparent circulation of smear documents aimed at character assassination of ANC leaders and members in Limpopo.
Such disruptive tendencies do not have room in the ANC and the leadership will not hesitate to act against any member who is found to have participated in these divisive activities.
Issued by: National Working Committee
African National Congress
For more information contact: Tiyani Rikhotso on 079 879 79 74