2005-10-06,+ANC+moots+policy+think-tank+to+battle+leftist+allies


 * Business Day, Johannesburg, 05 October 2005**

= ANC moots policy think-tank to take battle to leftist allies =


 * Karima Brown, Political Editor**

FORMER Limpopo premier Ngoako Ramatlhodi is tipped to head a new African National Congress (ANC) policy institute to strengthen the party in its ideological battles with its leftist allies, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and the South African Communist Party (SACP).

Ramatlhodi has been seen as close to President Thabo Mbeki in the past, but has also been disgruntled at being overlooked for posts such as head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

“Ngoako is to head up the ANC’s policy think-tank and it will be interesting to see how he manages policy debates in the movement,” a senior party source said this week.

Plans to launch the institute, first called for at the party’s national general council in July 2000, were at an advanced stage, officials said.

ANC spokesman Smuts Ngonyama confirmed plans to launch the think-tank, but was tightlipped about Ramatlhodi’s new job.

Ngonyama confirmed, however, that there had been internal talks about Ramatlhodi’s candidacy.

Ngonyama said the policy institute was intended to help inform “strategic” policy determination by the ANC, to assist long-term planning and provide a forum for “open debate and engagement in the battle of ideas among cadres”.

He would not be drawn on how the new institute would be funded.

Ramatlhodi declined to answer questions about his imminent appointment, and referred queries to ANC secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe.

Motlanthe would not comment as discussions were continuing.

Ramatlhodi, who resigned as an MP two weeks ago, has been based at Luthuli House since stepping down as premier in April last year. He said his move to the party’s headquarters was part of an attempt by the party to strengthen itself.

Ramatlhodi is a member of the ANC’s powerful national working committee.

He was once tipped to replace former NPA head Bulelani Ngcuka, but this was scuttled by an NPA investigation into alleged corruption during his time as Limpopo premier.

Ramatlhodi’s probable appointment will come as economic policy debates in the ANC and its alliance have become particularly fractious.

The ANC’s attempts to find solutions to SA’s pressing unemployment and poverty crises have pitted it against Cosatu and SACP.

Proposals authored by Deputy Finance Minister Jabu Moleketi to introduce a two-tier labour system that would make it easier for employers to fire young workers were rejected by the ANC’s rank and file, as well as its alliance partners.

Cosatu and the SACP have also accused senior government ministers and bureaucrats of sidelining them on policy discussions.

As head of the ruling party’s new think-tank, Ramatlhodi would have to steer debate around efforts to float provocative proposals on key political and economic questions.

Ramatlhodi said it was important to bring ANC discussions into the public domain and said the party’s positions must be constantly reviewed.

“We are the ruling party and therefore the ANC’s policies generate a lot of interest,” he said.

From: http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/national.aspx?ID=BD4A98799

P.S. There is a fabulous picture next to this Business Day article, but not on the Internet, unfortunately.