ANC,+We+remain+a+force+of+the+left



=We remain a force of the left, ANC says=

IOL, July 02 2005 at 01:18PM

 * By Mariette le Roux**

The African National Congress (ANC) has reaffirmed its character as a national liberation movement, it emerged on Saturday from the party's national general council (NGC) meeting in Pretoria.

"As the ANC, we remain a national liberation movement," deputy secretary-general Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele said.

"We remain a disciplined force of the left."

Mthembi-Mahanyele was briefing reporters on a discussion by the council on a review of the party's strategy and tactics.

The council found that these remained relevant today as they reflected the ideals outlined in the Freedom Charter.

The position adopted, she said, did not amount to a rejection of proposals for the ANC's transformation into a modern political party.

A document containing proposals for organisational redesign, which also deals with issues of character, strategy and tactics, has been submitted to the council meeting for discussion.

However, Mthembi-Mahanyele said it would be referred back to branches for debate before a final submission is made to the ANC's next national conference in 2007.

Other issues that required further debate included the question of addressing South Africa's two economies - one rich and one poor - "skewed property relations", and a review of strategy on international issues.

There would also be a further look at the problem of ethnic chauvinism and tribalism and its impact on the party and society at large.

Mthembi-Mahanyele said the council had taken the view of boosting the quota of women electoral candidates from a third, as stated in the party's constitution, to 50 percent.

This would require a constitutional amendment, which would possibly only be ready in time for the next general election in 2009.

On membership, the council decided to pay more attention to ensuring that new members who did not share the party's background, adopted and embraced its philosophies.

There was also a discussion on ANC members' participation in the business sector.

Mthembi-Mahanyele said a special commission considered whether there should be a cooling-off period for officials between leaving office and entering business, or an overall ban.

The matter would be further examined by the national executive committee.

"We want the NEC to develop methods to regulate the conduct of members in terms of business," Mthembi-Mahanyele said.

Issues that still had to be debated before the conclusion of the four-day council meeting on Sunday, included calls for interference in the exchange rate of the rand, the interest rate, a basic income grant to alleviate poverty, and proposals for a "dual labour" market.

ANC head of policy Jeff Radebe said there was no foregone conclusion on a recommendation to relax labour regulations for small businesss in a bid to boost employment.

On a reported statement by Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana that such proposals would not be approved by the NGC, Radebe said each ANC member was entitled to his or her own opinion.

"But we will only know at the conclusion (of a commission discussion) tonight how the issue was dealt with." – Sapa


 * From: http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=6&art_id=qw1120302540741B252