ANC+NGC+Commissions+11+and+12,+Ideological+Struggle+and+Cadre+Development



CONSOLIDATED REPORT ON SECTORAL STRATEGIES
 * ANC National General Council, 29 June - 3 July 2005**


 * __Commissions 11 & 12__**

=IDEOLOGICAL STRUGGLE AND CADRE DEVELOPMENT=


 * INTRODUCTION**

The Commissions received guiding inputs, which provided the context for ideological struggle and cadre development in the movement. The inputs noted that these tasks are informed by the strategic objective of the movement, which is the creation of a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.

The tactics we employ in pursuit of these objectives further informs ideological struggle and cadre development. These are:

· Strengthening the ANC as a movement that lead society in social transformation; · Deepening democracy, the culture of human rights and people-driven change; · Ensure that democratic forces wield and utilise state power to pursue social change; and · Work with progressive forces globally to build a better Africa and world.

The commissions' inputs and discussions were also informed by the resolutions of 50th and 51st National Conferences as well as the first NGC in 2000.

The commissions were mindful of the critical medium-term programmatic priorities to attain our strategic objective: in particular speeding up economic growth and employment, bridging the gap between the two economies; increase access to basic services, improving the safety of communities, pursuing the African agenda and improving the organisation and the capacity of the state to meet these objectives.


 * 1. ON IDEOLOGICAL STRUGGLE**

The commissions noted that we live in a unipolar world, dominated by capitalism, including in South Africa. This results in the stratification and division of society into competing classes, and into haves and have-nots. At the same time, this system encourages tendencies such as unhealthy competition, crass materialism and conspicuous consumption.

It is within this context that the ANC needs to engage and assert its world-view, values and character. This requires the movement continually to refine its strategic orientation. We must be clear on what makes us different, in both theory and practice.

The commissions noted the link between strategic orientation and values, the development of society and the material conditions of our people.

This places specific obligations on ANC cadres to be steeped in the values of the movement, to continually sharpen their theoretical skills, and to conduct themselves in a manner true to the values and character of the movement, including the promotion of non-sexism.

Furthermore, ideological struggle also entails leading all of society in building a common patriotism and moving beyond the divisions of the past.

The progress that we are making in transformation and nation-building has brought into the ranks of the movement many new members, including from other parties.

The new situation has also seen the emergence of issue-based social movements, which mobilise around legitimate grievances, but do so in a manner that may conflict with programmes and values of the ANC. The principal cause of such developments, particularly the recent upheavals in a number of localities is the weakness of ANC structures and thus their inability to give leadership to communities.

The commissions thus recommend:

1. We must reaffirm the ideological orientation of the ANC as that of "revolutionary African nationalism", and "a disciplined force of the left". 2. The movement must seek to develop its own organic intellectuals schooled in its ideological orientation, and at the same time engage and influence this sector of society. 3. We need to simplify theoretical issues and debates in a manner that allows for broad participation of all our members at all levels of the movement, and broader society. 4. All meetings of ANC structures, especially at branch level, must be characterised by political discussions on current as well as theoretical issues, linking them to programmatic, governance and administrative tasks. 5. We must actively strive to build ideological coherence and unity of action within the Alliance, in pursuit of the NDR and minimise contradictions and conflicts at practical level. 6. The movement must invest in the political and ideological development programmes of the ANCYL and support its role as a preparatory school of new cadres of the movement. Similarly, special attention needs to be paid to ideological work within the ANC Women's League, and ensuring that women become an active part of ANC programmes at all levels. 7. We must pay close attention to issues pertaining to the socialisation of new generations in institutions such as the family, schools, and further and higher education institutions. Within this context, consideration should be given to the revival of the pioneer movement.


 * 2. ON CADRE DEVELOPMENT**

The commissions noted that as a mass movement, the ANC must carefully consider its recruitment strategies to ensure that it reflects an active presence in its ranks of all the motive forces. In order to pursue its mission, it must ensure that it sharpens its ability to continually renew and replenish itself.

We noted the impact of the position of the ANC as the ruling party and of the national and global context in which we operate on cadres of the ANC and of the Leagues.

The commissions recommended:

1. We must take further the Mafikeng and Stellenbosch resolutions on cadre development, including: · Institutionalising political schools at all levels of the movement; · Initiating and supporting study circles at all levels, especially in the branches; · A common curriculum that is implemented throughout the country; · Introducing refresher courses to ensure continual renewal and relevance of our ideas; · Producing documents in all different languages and in simple and understandable forms; · Implementing induction of new members and leadership collectives and ensuring that the requirement of our Constitution with regard to the oath by new members is implemented; · Effectively utilising the skills that we develop, through the creation of cadre databases. 2. We must implement the Ekurhuleni resolutions on joint Alliance political development programmes. 3. The commissions noted the importance for renewal and replenishment of the ANC of a strong youth and student movement. In this regard, they recommended: · Support for the ANCYL as a preparatory school of the movement; · A special programme targeting COSAS and the mobilisation of high school and further education students. · The importance of the mobilisation of students at higher institutions and strengthening SASCO 4. As part of monitoring progress on cadre development, all Executive structures and the NEC, PEC and REC deployees must report on a regular basis.


 * Social mobilisation and the media**

1. We must take further the Mafikeng and Stellenbosch resolutions on communications, including: · Appropriate employment of the various levels of communication - agitation, information and education - among the motive forces and society at large. · Encouraging leaders and members at all level to engage on a continuous basis in the public discourse. · Develop and support community media including radio. · Continuous direct contact with the people through a variety of methods (door to door, izimbizo, etc) beyond election campaigns. · Engaging the media on issues of ownership, outlook, culture and their role to inform, educate and entertain in a manner that builds national unity and promotes involvement of citizens in the programmes of change - this challenge applies especially to the public broadcaster. · Strengthening communication units in government across all spheres. 2. The core mission of the ANC remains the mobilisation of the people as active participants in social transformation. In this regard, we should develop an approach towards the mobilisation of various sectoral formations, including the deployment of NEC, PEC and REC members to work with specific sectors.

The commissions noted the progress made in nation-building and the challenges remaining in building a truly non-racial society. Commissions reaffirmed that much more work needed to be done to achieve this objective, including implementation of programmes to better the lives of all, popularisation of national symbols, arts and culture, sporting and other activities that help to build a sense of a shared South Africanness.
 * NATION BUILDING AND PATRIOTISM**

The NEC Political Education and Communications Committees should develop an implementation plan to take forward these recommendations, and regularly report to the NEC.
 * GENERAL**

From: http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/ngcouncils/2005/consolidated_report.html