President Cyril Ramaphosa has put his foot down and insisted that the ANC will race ahead with its renewal programme and implement the step aside rule that has caused stark divisions in the party.
Speaking at the party’s January 8 celebrations in Polokwane yesterday, Ramaphosa said the unity of the party should not come at the expense of fighting corruption.
He said despite a massive pushback from within, the party will implement its decisions whether dissenting ANC members like it or not.
“We must act unflinchingly and with urgency to renew the movement. As we do so, we must be clear that this will be a painful and protracted process. Like the collective leadership of comrade OR Tambo’s generation, we must give no quarter in pursuing what is ethically right and socially just,” Ramaphosa said.
“No resistance, even from within our ranks, can force us to abandon the cause of truly being the ANC of the people.”
The party suspended secretary-general Ace Magashule last year when he refused to step aside after being charged with corruption. Magashule’s allies have accused Ramaphosa and his allies of selectively implementing resolutions agreed at the party’s Nasrec conference in a way that eliminates opponents ahead of the ANC national conference scheduled for December.
Ramaphosa for the first time linked recent attacks on key state institutions to the fightback against his renewal programme.
“As expected, the renewal that we have embarked on is being assailed at various levels by acts of institutional and social disruption.”
He was unequivocal in his message to the ANC that such acts would fail.
“Let us from the outset make it clear that these desperate efforts will fail in the face of a united people resolved to protect South Africa’s democratic gains.”
He said the party’s renewal commission — set up recently — will as a matter of urgency develop proposals that can be put in motion.
The commission, according to Ramaphosa, will start its work by the end of the month once the party’s national executive committee finalises its terms of reference. It will work on developing the party’s vision of renewal.
“The aim is to ensure that the ANC renewal commission develops proposals that can be operationalised as a matter of urgency. Its work will also be informed by continuous consultation with structures of the ANC, alliance partners and the broad democratic movement.”
The commission is expected to look into the quality of party membership and leadership, ethical issues, step-aside guidelines and procedures to ensure skilled people are deployed to positions as part of building a capable state.
“We must also recognise that renewal and rebuilding is a process and must be diligently worked for. There will be successes and setbacks,” he said.
As expected, the renewal that we have embarked on is being assailed at various levels by acts of institutional and social disruption
— President Cyril Ramaphosa
“We should expect and confront resistance from those opposed to renewal; we should endure the pain that this entails and, ultimately, we will emerge as an organisation better placed to serve the people of South Africa.”
There were no major policy announcements in Ramaphosa’s speech, though he reiterated the importance of the basic income grant.
More than a year after the introduction of the R350 Covid social distress grant — which is set to end in March — Ramaphosa says there is a clear need for financial support.
“The social relief of distress grant has provided vital support for the unemployed during the pandemic, reaching 9.5-million people and lifting 5-million above the food poverty line. There is a clear need for some form of income support for unemployed and poor South Africans based on clear principles of affordability and sustainability,” he said.
He joked that the proposed basic income grant was causing finance minister Enoch Godongwane’s hair loss ahead of the budget speech.
Ramaphosa said his party would focus on the following in 2022:
- Fighting unemployment and poverty;
- Acting against those destabilising the country;
- Accelerating renewal; and
- Building a capable state “with an effective and ethical public service”.
Ramaphosa promised that in municipalities where the ANC governs residents will “have reliable and affordable electricity, water and sanitation”.
“We will serve as an effective opposition in municipalities where we do not govern and ensure that the council gives attention to the concerns of residents,” he said.
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