Statement+of+the+ANC+National+Working+Committee,+Media+Release




 * ANC Media Release, 15 January 2008**

=Statement of the ANC National Working Committee=

The ANC National Working Committee held its first meeting since its election, at Luthuli House in Johannesburg on Monday, 14 January 2008. In assessing the 96th anniversary celebrations, the NWC expressed its appreciation for the support the ANC received from both members and the public in general as reflected in the Atteridgeville and Limpopo rallies over the weekend. The message from the January 8th Statement was well received and the reaction was positive overall.

In pursuit of the campaign on education an urgent meeting will be held with the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) and the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) to discuss the role these progressive formations can play in making quality education accessible to all learners in our society. The process will be taken forward by engaging other teacher unions.

The NWC took a dim view of the trend of opposition parties trying to belittle the delegates to the ANC 52nd National Conference, and trying to project the ANC Conference as inconsequential to the South African political landscape.

The NWC discussed transformation and the need to restore the integrity of law enforcement units and the entire criminal justice system.

In this regard, the NWC was shocked that the chorus from opposition parties was joined by Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke on the occasion of his 60th birthday. His reported comment shows disdain for the delegates to the ANC National Conference, and highlights the difficulty that many within the judiciary appear to have in shedding their historical leanings and political orientation.

The sudden withdrawal of charges against Scorpions Gauteng head Gerrie Nel raises a number of questions. The manner in which this case has been handled suggests that South Africa has a long way to go to achieve equality before the law. It strengthens suspicions that those who occupied positions in agencies of the former apartheid government can act with impunity while the offensive against cadres of the democratic movement is intensified. This brings into sharp relief the transformation of state agencies.

The NWC finalised the deployment of National Executive Committee (NEC) members to NEC sub-committees and the provinces. The following chairpersons of the sub-committees were confirmed:

Organisation Building and Campaigns: **Fikile Mbalula** Communication and Drafting: **Pallo Jordan** Constitutional Affairs: **Collins Chabane** Commission on Religious Affairs: **Mathole Motshekga** Economic Transformation: **Max Sisulu** Education and Health: **Zweli Mkhize** Elections: **Jessie Duarte** International Relations: **Ebrahim Ebrahim** Legislature and Governance: **Lynne Brown** National Appeals Committee: **Cyril Ramaphosa** National Disciplinary Committee: **Zola Skweyiya** National Finance Committee: **Mathews Phosa** Parliamentary Political Committee: **Baleka Mbete** Peace and Stability: **Siphiwe Nyanda** Policy Committee: **Jeff Radebe** Political Education and Ideological Work: **Lyndall Shope-Mafole** Social Transformation: **Lindiwe Sisulu** Labour Committee: **Enoch Godongwana** Committee on Realignment of Opposition Forces: **Valli Moosa** Awards Panel: **Pallo Jordan**

The following convenors for deployees in the provinces were confirmed:

Eastern Cape: **Makhenkesi Stofile** Free State: **Susan Shabangu** Gauteng: **Collins Chabane** KwaZulu Natal: **Zweli Mkhize** Limpopo: **Mathole Motshekga** Mpumalanga: **Dina Pule** Northern Cape: **Jessie Duarte** North West: **Siphiwe Nyanda** Western Cape: **Nomaindia Mfeketho**

The National Working Committee completed the preparations for the NEC Lekgotla, to be held from 18-20 January 2008, which will finalise the ANC's programme of action for the year.


 * Issued by: National Working Committee, African National Congress

More information: Tiyani Rikhotso**

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