National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe,
Deputy President David Mabuza,
Officials,
Members of the National Executive Committee,
Comrades,

This is the last scheduled meeting of the NEC for 2020. It is an opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made over the last year in the implementation of our programme of fundamental social and economic transformation.

This year will forever be defined by the devastating coronavirus pandemic. It has caused untold damage to the lives of billions of people around the world. It has taken a huge toll on human health and cost the lives of more than 1.5 million people.

But it has also severely affected the livelihoods of far more people as economies have contracted, companies have closed, jobs have been lost and social support measures have been disrupted.

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