Ramaphosa Scolds ANC Amid Salary Dispute

Key Takeaways:

• The African National Congress (ANC) is facing internal issues, including unpaid staff salaries and medical aid contributions.
• ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the party’s National General Council (NGC), discussing party renewal and discipline, but did not mention the staff’s unpaid salaries.
• The ANC’s NGC is a mid-term review between national conferences, where the party examines its performance and implementation of its resolutions.
• The party is struggling with electoral losses, corruption, and party renewal.
• The ANC’s staff, led by the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu), picketed outside the NGC venue, protesting against unpaid salaries and medical aid contributions.

Introduction to the ANC’s National General Council
The African National Congress (ANC) kicked off its National General Council (NGC) on Monday, 8 December, in Boksburg, Gauteng. The event, which is a mid-term review between national conferences, was attended by ANC ministers and delegates, who arrived in convoys of sports cars and SUVs. However, the grand entrance was marred by a group of ANC staffers, led by their union, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu), who picketed outside the venue, protesting against unpaid salaries and medical aid contributions.

The Issue of Unpaid Salaries
The issue of unpaid salaries is not new to the ANC. In June 2022, it was reported that the party had not paid staff salaries. Nehawu deputy secretary for the ANC’s Walter Sisulu branch, Dan Semenya, told Daily Maverick that the issue of unpaid salaries or delayed payment of salaries is a recurring problem that staff has been facing. Semenya also mentioned that the party has not paid medical aid contributions, which has resulted in staff members being told that their medical aid has been suspended when they visit doctors or medical institutions. This has put the health of not only ANC employees but also their families at risk.

The Party’s Response
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu acknowledged that the workers had a right to picket, despite 90% of them having been paid. Bhengu said that the party’s focus should be on ensuring that staff are well looked after and paid on time. She also stated that the party is working to correct the issue of unpaid salaries and medical aid contributions. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula had earlier stated that 90% of party staff had been paid, with only senior management, such as himself, still waiting for their salaries.

Ramaphosa’s Address
During his address, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa described an ANC facing several challenges, including electoral loss, corruption, and party renewal. He emphasized the need for party discipline and the importance of going back to basics by being closely connected to the people. Ramaphosa also mentioned the protections afforded to workers, which were negotiated with the tripartite alliance, but did not mention the party’s picketing workers. He stated that a renewed ANC must enforce discipline in the ranks of its membership and that those whose conduct conflicts with the party’s values and principles should find themselves outside the ANC.

The Need for Party Renewal
The ANC is struggling with electoral losses, corruption, and party renewal. In the 2024 national elections, the party dropped below 50% of the vote for the first time, receiving only 40.18%. Ramaphosa said that the party needs to go back to basics by being closely connected to the people and reintroducing meaningful initiatives to engage communities and serve them. He also emphasized the need for a culture of humility and modesty, while discouraging the culture of showing off wealth and cars in communities.

Conclusion
The ANC’s NGC is an opportunity for the party to examine its performance and implementation of its resolutions since its national conference in 2022. The party is facing internal issues, including unpaid staff salaries and medical aid contributions, which need to be addressed. The ANC’s leadership, including Ramaphosa, needs to prioritize the welfare of its staff and ensure that they are paid on time. The party’s focus should be on party renewal, discipline, and going back to basics by being closely connected to the people. The four-day NGC concludes on Thursday, and it remains to be seen what resolutions will be made to address the party’s internal issues and improve its performance.