African National Congress (ANC) head of policy Jeff Radebe said on Friday that organisational renewal is important for the survival of the party as it released its policy discussion papers ahead of the much-awaited policy conference scheduled to take place between July 28 and 31.

The ANC will take discussions to its branches and other forums, which will convene between the end of June and July 23.

Addressing the media at the party’s headquarters in Johannesburg, Radebe acknowledged that the ANC had been discussing renewal for a long time. He said it would continue as it was important in taking the party forward.

The ANC dipped below 50% at the polls in a number of metros and municipalities in the 2021 local government elections.

“This is a huge warning signal for the coming 2024 national elections,” said Radebe.

Radebe said the ANC would continue to ensure that the behaviour of party members and leadership was ethical and that several elements would be removed from the party’s ranks.

He added that recent unsavoury factors such as lower levels of community trust, corruption, poor service delivery and a “distant, out-of-touch, inward-looking ANC” that was unable to be an effective agent of change and connect with communities, had resulted in the ANC losing support including in the local government elections.

ECONOMIC POLICY

On its vision for the country’s economy, the ANC policy document says the party is guided by the Freedom Charter.

The ANC laid out its strategy for economic growth with a focus on:

• structural reforms of network industries for expanded investment, particularly in electricity, telecommunications, water, rail and road infrastructure
• strengthened industrial policy interventions
• better management of expenditure and taxation, and a balanced monetary policy
• a mixed economy with the private and public elements to boost job creation
• expanded regional trade in Africa.

“The new policy frameworks must be underpinned by a comprehensive social compact of government, business, labour and civil society as the President Cyril Ramaphosa indicated during the State of the Nation Address,” Radebe said.

He acknowledged that, as a precondition, an ethical and capable State with broad support was essential for the programme to succeed.

He warned those involved in corrupt activities that damage to the country’s growth potential and infrastructure was tantamount to economic sabotage adding that it had no place in the ANC. 

Radebe said it was important that the criminal justice system and crime intelligence, as well as the South African Police Service, were strengthened.

“The attainment of democracy in 1994 fundamentally shifted the strategic balance of forces in South Africa in favour of the forces of national liberation and social transformation. Indeed, a major concern in the current period pertains to weaknesses and even reversals, especially at municipal level, and the capacity of the State in general,” he said.

He added that the State Capture Commission has been a vital tool in assisting government to eradicate corruption.

Find the documents here https://www.polity.org.za/article/umrabulo-policy-conference-2022-2022-05-20