African National Congress (Johannesburg)
Jacob Zuma
19 December 2008
document
It is one year since our eventful 52nd national conference in Polokwane. The country appeared to be on the knife-edge then due to the intensity of the conference build up. This demonstrated that the ANC is a major political factor in our country, if it is divided so does the society.
Many people expected the worst, which exposed the fact that some have not come to understand the ANC and its culture. The climate at the conference was filled with tension, the whole world watched in anxiety, convinced that the South African dream was turning into a nightmare. Instead they saw democracy in action. The conference ended peacefully and successfully. That was a strong indication of the ability of South Africans to work together to successfully overcome their challenges in a peaceful manner, even more so in the ANC.
ANC delegates in Polokwane discussed robustly, and produced resolutions, which will guide the ANC in government in the next five years. They decided that we should put more emphasis on job creation, fighting crime, improvement of healthcare services, education, development of rural infrastructure and agricultural reform.
The delegates were clearly in touch with the masses as that is exactly what we have been told in the road shows we conducted in all nine provinces. From Mogale City to eMsinga to eBhayi to Mangaung to Polokwane to Kimberly, to Rusternburg to Mitchell's Plain to Nelspruit - our people complemented us on what our government and our organisation have done well in many areas, but pointed out the slow pace of service delivery in other areas, especially at the local government level.
They complained about corruption in tendering processes, perceived or real, depending on each case. This was a common theme everywhere we went. We undertook to deal with these problems. Our Manifesto has been enriched by the contributions by our people including by My ANC. My Vision. My Future campaign. We have listened and we will respond with clear action in the new administration to deal with all matters they raised in a comprehensive and detailed manner.
We are passionate about the need to fight corruption in government, especially as this reflects negatively on the ruling party. We are debating a number of remedies, ranging from ensuring that politicians stay far away from tendering processes, to the need to close possibilities for administrators as well to interfere with the processes. Our Manifesto will certainly deal with this challenge. The ANC will lead the fight against crime and corruption, in partnership with the people who will assist through whistle blowing and other means.
The advantage is that we are charting the way forward laid on a firm foundation, as the country has done exceptionally well during the last 15 years, due to the active participation and contribution of all South Africans. As we prepare for the 2009 elections, we are mindful of what we still need to focus on. Our Manifesto will spell out our achievable goals and commitments to the electorate.
Some countries will bore the full brunt of the financial crisis. In South Africa we have experienced at least part of the financial shock. Our exchange rate has depreciated sharply and the prices of our equities and bonds have fallen far. Yet our sound and well-regulated banking system is not dependent on foreign lines of credit and our exposure to toxic assets has been nearly non-existent. Our public debt levels are low and our level of foreign currency debt is even lower. This has helped to lower our vulnerability to financial shocks. Thanks to our sound and resilient economic policies.
With the support of all South Africans, we will be able to continue on our path to take the country forward. We have since 1994 managed to create a nation out of the divisions of apartheid, as South Africans. The 15-year-old nation has proved resilient, and has survived many challenges that would have caused havoc in other countries. That is because it is built on a solid foundation, our country's Constitution.
There is nothing that needs changing in South Africa's Constitution and the ANC poses no threat to the Constitution. We must work harder to promote and advance the Constitution guarantees to all our people, be they the poor, workers, professionals, senior citizens or youth so that we all appreciate the Constitutional democracy we live in.
We must appreciate and promote the Chapter 9 institutions, which are designed to provide further protection to our people in terms of the Constitution. We must also promote respect for the independence of the judiciary, prosecuting authorities and all instruments of our legal system. Granted, we do sometimes feel some of these institutions do not act in a fair manner they are intended to do.
We urge ANC members to be guarded in their criticisms, especially of the judiciary, as un-informed comments may be more damaging to an institution which should actually protect us all from one another, and from other arms of the State when the need arises. The judiciary, like other South African institutions, should be aware of the need for urgent transformation.
We also acknowledge our joint success in building a non-racial democracy since 1994. Some people may point out the odd racist incidents and say we have not achieved the non-racial democracy we aim for. We disagree. We have gone very far in creating and promoting a non-racial culture in our country. We cannot eradicate prejudice in just a few years, but we have laid the firm foundation against which there is no point of return.
The outrage by all races that accompanies racist incidents such as those in the Free State or Skielik clearly indicates that the standards have been set and no deviation will be tolerated. Moving forward to 2009, we must go further in promoting national unity and non-racialism in our homes, work, schools, churches, sports, arts and culture and all aspects of our lives.
We need to work further on improving attitudes towards people from other countries. We must strive for a society that is free of xenophobia and other intolerances. We were shocked and outraged by the attacks on Africans from other parts of the continent early this year. We were beneficiaries of African solidarity. We lived in Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Angola, Mozambique, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and other countries and were never called names. We were treated with respect, dignity and empathy.
We take note of the changing political environment with the emergence of new political parties, from breakaways from the liberation movements, the ANC, PAC and the black consciousness formations. The country's Constitution enshrines freedom of association and assembly. We urge ANC members to work professionally with all opposition parties, old and new, in all relevant forums, especially leading up to the elections.
We must make the 2009 elections as peaceful, free and fair as all previous elections. We urge tolerance, understanding and patriotism amongst all our people, from all political parties. We must put South Africa first. The ANC must not be found wanting in this regard.
We have a good track record, a good programme of action and a dedicated team that is ready to work with our people to improve the quality of life of all. We will be continuing with our road shows around the country, listening to South Africans and learning from their wisdom on what we should do better.
Our overwhelming practical national experience during the year that is about to close, whatever the few negatives that might have raised their ugly head, in partnership with our people, we are firmly on course towards the realisation of the goal of a better life for all.
We wish all our people a wonderful festive season and a peaceful and prosperous New Year. Let all of us respond to the appeal to not drink and drive - Drive Safely, and Arrive Alive!
Jacob Zuma is president of the African National Congress of South Africa.
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