Key Takeaways
- The ANC’s Phusela branch has called for a ban on blue-light convoys for ANC deployees, except for the president, deputy president, and premiers.
- The branch has also urged the party to dissolve the government of national unity (GNU) or remove the DA from it.
- The ANC Youth League has echoed these positions and declared youth unemployment a national disaster.
- The league has emphasized accountability, recognition of high-performing municipalities, and fielding youth and women candidates in upcoming local government elections.
- The SACP has stressed that NGC debates should be grounded in principle rather than factional battles.
Introduction to the ANC’s Phusela Branch Resolutions
The African National Congress’s (ANC) Phusela branch in the Norman Mashabane Region in Limpopo has made some bold resolutions that could spark debate at the party’s national general council (NGC). The branch has called for a full ban on blue-light convoys for ANC deployees, with exceptions only for the president, deputy president, and premiers. This proposal is based on the argument that blue-light convoys have become a symbol of a leadership disconnected from ordinary South Africans. The branch believes that these convoys have contributed to the ANC’s electoral decline and fuel public resentment.
The Proposed Ban on Blue-Light Convoys
The proposed ban on blue-light convoys is not just a symbolic gesture, but a reflection of the branch’s desire to reconnect with the people. The branch argues that the convoys have become a symbol of entitlement and public intimidation, and that they have contributed to the ANC’s electoral decline. By banning blue lights for ministers, MECs, mayors, speakers, and all ANC deployees, the branch hopes to reduce the perception of a leadership that is out of touch with the people. The exceptions for the president, deputy president, and premiers are likely due to their constitutional roles and the need for their security and safety.
The Call for the Dissolution of the GNU
The Phusela branch has also called for the dissolution of the government of national unity (GNU) or, at a minimum, the removal of the Democratic Alliance (DA) from it. The branch argues that the unity government has weakened the ANC’s ability to govern decisively. The GNU has been in place since the 2019 general elections, and the branch believes that it has restricted the ANC’s policy direction. The branch argues that if the GNU continues to restrict policy direction, the ANC should rather govern as a minority rather than compromise its ideological programme. This call for the dissolution of the GNU is likely to spark debate at the NGC, as it has significant implications for the party’s governance and policy direction.
The ANC Youth League’s Resolutions
The ANC Youth League’s (ANCYL) 2nd NGC held in Kimberley has also made some significant resolutions that echo the Phusela branch’s positions. The league has declared youth unemployment a national disaster and emphasized the need for accountability, recognition of high-performing municipalities, and fielding youth and women candidates in the upcoming local government elections. The league has also addressed education, crime, gender-based violence, water as a human right, and economic transformation, including calls for land expropriation without compensation, nationalization of strategic industries, and beneficiation of minerals. These resolutions reflect the league’s desire to address the pressing issues facing young people in South Africa and to promote a more inclusive and equitable society.
The Importance of Policy-Focused Discussions
The South African Communist Party (SACP) spokesperson, Mbulelo Mandlana, has stressed that NGC debates should be grounded in principle rather than factional battles. Mandlana believes that policy discussions should be the focus of the NGC, rather than irrelevant policies from the past. The SACP’s position is that the ANC cannot make decisions based on outdated policies, and that the party should focus on developing new policies that address the current challenges facing the country. This emphasis on policy-focused discussions is critical, as it will enable the ANC to develop a clear and coherent policy direction that addresses the needs of all South Africans.
Conclusion
The resolutions made by the ANC’s Phusela branch and the ANC Youth League are significant, as they reflect a desire to reconnect with the people and to promote a more inclusive and equitable society. The call for a ban on blue-light convoys and the dissolution of the GNU are likely to spark debate at the NGC, but they also reflect a recognition of the need for the ANC to change its approach to governance and policy direction. The emphasis on policy-focused discussions is critical, as it will enable the ANC to develop a clear and coherent policy direction that addresses the needs of all South Africans. As the NGC approaches, it is likely that these resolutions will be the subject of intense debate and discussion, and it remains to be seen how they will be received by the rest of the party.