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The
main challenges for 2003 were to mobilise society around social
development projects, and to forge a united front against poverty,
ANC Chief Whip Nathi Nhleko said on Wednesday.
He predicted that this, especially in the context of the planned
Growth and Development Summit, would form the main focus of
President Thabo Mbeki's opening-of-Parliament address on
Friday.
"It is quite an important summit in the sense that it is also part
of the efforts to mobilise our people to transform the South
African society."
Business, labour, civil society and government are set to meet
later this year to help identify ways to fast-track growth and
eradicate poverty.
Nhleko said Mbeki was expected to address the question of social
security grants and redistribution of wealth, and improving the
competitiveness of the economy.
The focus for the African National Congress had moved away from
setting up the processes and policies for development, to service
delivery.
"Unity is called upon in the context that people will have to
participate actively in transforming society and transforming all
necessary levels of state.
"More importantly, is monitoring the extent to which government
programmes are being implemented.
"We need to have this united front, a front that has got to fight
against poverty and underdevelopment," he said.
The president was also expected to discuss global developments, as
well as those on the continent.
The South African government, and the ANC, has taken a hard-line
stance opposing a possible attack by the United States and Britain
on Iraq.
Nhleko said South Africa would continue to play a major role in
Africa, despite the country giving up the chair of the African
Union later this year.
"Firstly, we will still promote party-to-party
relationships...
also we are engaged with the whole issue of setting up of the Pan
African Parliament."
The chief whip said there had been calls for South Africa to house
Africa's parliament.
"There are quite strong views out there that seem to suggest that
South Africa will have to be the seat of the Pan African
Parliament.
"We will have to watch and check what develops there," he said -
Sapa.
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