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The stalwarts have been loyal members of the ANC for many decades. Our objective is to continue to serve all the people of South Africa and ensure the historical values of the ANC are restored.

We remember and abide by the oath that every member of the ANC swears on joining, “….without motives of material advantage or personal gain”.  The signatories include all of the remaining members of those imprisoned after the Rivonia Treason Trial and Comrade Kathrada was the first signatory of the document. 

The stalwarts have consistently called for a consultative conference to assist in confronting the crisis the ANC and importantly, the country faces.

At the end of 2016 the National Executive Committee of the ANC agreed with the stalwarts that there should a national consultative conference and this decision was well publicised at the time.  

Since the time the National Executive Committee made the decision to hold a national consultative conference the crisis in the ANC and the negative perception of the ANC by members, supporters and the wider general public has increased.

No honest member of the ANC should rationally oppose a national consultative conference. Regrettably, there are those who do not wish for there to be an honest introspection that will expose unacceptable behaviour, nepotism and corruption, not only by individuals who are senior members of the ANC and the leagues, but the insidious network of self-interest that extends deep into the business community.  

Since the aforementioned National Executive Committee meeting last year, there have been a number of meetings of the stalwarts with the top six of the ANC and with the National Working Committee.

Agreement has been reached, ibid belatedly, on a working group to finalise the details of the national consultative conference. The working group will comprise of three representatives from the stalwarts, three from the Umkhonto WeSizwe Military Veterans Council and six members of the National Working Committee.

Members of the National Working Committee are, in terms of the ANC constitution required to implement decisions of the National Executive Committee.  However, there will need to be a high level of political maturity and commitment to ensure the conference addresses the challenges of our movement without fear, favour, or deference to those who have undermined the traditions and practices of the ANC and its commitment to create a participatory, non-racist, non-sexist, constitutional democracy.

It has been agreed that the outcomes of the national consultative conference will be part of the discussions at the Policy Conference. This is why the de-linking of the national consultative conference from the Policy Conference remains on the table as an outstanding item.

Issued by ANC stalwarts and veterans, who are signatories to the document, “For the Sake of our Future