Address by ANC President Jacob Zuma at the opening of the ANC National List Conference

24 January 2009

Esselen Park, Ekurhuleni

Members of the National Executive Committee,
Leaders of the Alliance,
Members of the National List Committee,
Delegates to this National List Conference,
Comrades,

Today marks the culmination of a thoroughly democratic process within the ANC. The process of establishing who the ANC will put forward as candidates to represent the people in Parliament in itself defines the ANC as a unique organisation.

We have come along way since 1912, when the ANC was founded.

Our country is no longer in the grip of any colonial power nor does the interests of any minority overshadow the will of the people.

Our forbearers fought for a just society and we must continue to fulfil that desire. We have a progressive Constitution, which took years of negotiations to finalise, and decades of struggle to achieve.

We respect the values enshrined in the constitution, which take into account the complexity, unity and diversity of the people of this country.

In it are contained our own values informed by the Freedom Charter.

Today I salute all the heroes and heroines who fell and did not see liberation. Today we owe much to those who developed the ANC into an organisation that still stands firmly behind a human rights culture and puts the needs and rights of the people above the ambitions of any individual.

Today we are proudly able to say, the people shall govern.

Our branches are linked to wards demarcated for the purposes of local government representation and each branch in good standing that has participated in the process leading up to this conference can claim to have made a mark on who will lead our country towards the goals we set for ourselves in the ANC manifesto.

Our message to the people of South Africa is that: Working together we can do more.

Those who are ultimately chosen as ANC candidates must realise now that we mean business when we say we will ensure that every ANC public representative will work tirelessly to deliver services to the people of this country.

Over the past 15 years our movement has proven beyond doubt that we are indeed capable of leading this country towards the realisation of a developmental state.

Yet, comrades, the challenges we face will require men and women of courage and integrity, who do not see their election to parliament or the legislatures as a job, but as a calling to serve.

Those among us who have gained experience must be prepared to share the lessons they have learned with others.

We must turn knowledge into empowerment and not power.

Our call to the country is to renew the mandate for faster change and progress.

We are working for a decisive victory that will enable us to put in place a governing platform that will advance the transformation of our country toward a better life for all.

We have made it known through our manifesto that we will focus on five major priorities: decent work, education, health, rural development, and the fight against crime.

We have said we will implement a rural infrastructure development programme and agricultural reform.

Yet, comrades, action speaks louder than words. We have to roll up our sleeves and do the work and not just be able to talk about how the work will be done.

We will expect to see implementation plans for our five priorities take precedence over other programmes.

We will expect to see parliament ready to work within the first three weeks after the election. For this reason our process has been rigorous so that we choose the best among ourselves to deliver on our promises.

The ANC has shown its true colours to our country and we are saying, working together with the people we can do more. We will not waiver in our vision for a non-racial, non-sexist, united and democratic South Africa. We want a South Africa that works for all its citizens.

Our list guidelines guarantee that 25% of the list is based purely on elections and that to ensure we have a 50 % inclusion of women and a demographic balance we do say that the national list committee of credible, tried and tested leaders are able to intervene to ensure our policies and uniquely diverse population is well represented by the ANC.

We have inherited a legacy to articulate the aspirations of the majority of South Africans and we shall not let the people down. We will come down hard on corruption in the civil service and in all other spheres of government.

We ask only that if you are elected, you commit to nothing more than serving the people.

Our choices are forged from a rigorous process.

It is a strength in a young democracy to have a movement like the ANC that prizes democracy and the institutions of democracy as the anchor that unites us into a nation. We will succeed in building a truly united South Africa where we say we will serve without fear or favour.

We are privileged to have opposition parties. While we may not agree with the opposition on many issues, we will not succumb to treating our opposition like enemies.

However, we will not be silent when we are criticised without justification.

We will lead a disciplined election campaign. We will follow the rules prescribed by the Electoral Act and managed by the IEC. We call on all parties to do the same, to ensure that this election is free, fair and peaceful.

The list process has gone a long way in enhancing the unity of the organisation.

It has been democratic and inclusive.

On behalf of the National Executive Committee of the ANC, I wish to thank all of our structures for showing political maturity on this important matter.

We must also thank all those who were involved in organising the extremely successful celebration of the ANC's 97th birthday and launch of our election manifesto in East London, and the tens of thousands of people who participated in the event.

In particular, we thank the structures of the ANC - particularly the Organising Department - and the structures of the Alliance and MDM for their contribution. We must also thank the ANC in the Eastern Cape for having generously and capably hosted such a significant event.

The launch displayed the same spirit of partnership shown in the engagements that took place in preparing the manifesto, and which will be carried through the election campaign, and beyond.

These are merely some opening remarks. The bulk of the work is to be done by the Secretary General in leading the work of this conference.

When you leave here, go back to do door-to-door work and hold people's forums. Our people have a right to understand the letter and spirit of the ANC manifesto.

And they have a right to meet the candidates who are standing to be their representatives in the next Parliament of South Africa and in the provincial legislatures.

Candidates must go out from here to join the thousands of ANC volunteers around the country, to earn the support and respect of the masses.

Amandla!

Issued by:
African National Congress