By More Matshediso
BLOEMFONTEIN – Members of the ANC in Motheo region together with small businesses in the region on Tuesday, October 2 gathered at City hall for a gala dinner with Gwede Mantashe, party secretary-general to discuss an altered version of the second transition policy document as it enters a second phase of its policy implementation.
The ANC is spitting and polishing final preparations for the historic Mangaung conference to be held in December seen as a defining chapter in its history.
The Mangaung conference is set to review progress regarding the ANC’s strategic objectives, review its policies, assess the state of the organisation, and elect the national leadership.
Already, there are signs of jostling for positions at the conference that has witnessed several names touted as front runners, including Kgalema Mothlante viewed as the ANCYL favourite.
Mantashe said after 18 years the ANC has made progress in consolidating political and democratic transformation and they have established an institution of democracy.
“On the socio-economic front, we have not made sufficient progress and therefore resolve that we will have to step up our game on the socio-economic transformation,” said secretary general,” he said.
“When we talk of sharing in the wealth of our country, the State has one rule called redistribution of wealth. It is about conveniently improving access to basic facilities, education-quality thereof, health-quality thereof, and transport- public transport. That is the duty of the State,” Mxolisi Siyonzana, Motheo regional chairperson of the ANC said the party had gained enough ground to take the electorate and the country through the Second Phase of Transition.
He warned party delegates against electing people without credentials. “We need to be vigilant on how we elect especially pertaining to the character of those vying for leadership” Siyonzana said, in reference to leadership that does not comply with the mandate of the movement but push their own agendas.
Siyonzana said working together with the allies in the South African Communist Party and the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the ANC’s Leagues – both the ANC Youth League and the ANC Women`s League and the MKVA, ANC remain steadfast in championing the cause of a better life for all.
“Having characterised the first eighteen years of our young democracy as constituting the First Phase – a period which predominantly focused on the democratisation of the state, we are now content that the state machinery is well oiled to take us through the Second Phase of Transition,” he added.
The second transition policy states that the structure of this discussion paper is aimed at helping members to identify and debate the key issues – both theoretical and practical – that will help them to answer the difficult questions about the future of South Africa and our movement of ANC.
Siyonzana said the centenary celebration unleashed in them the spirit of service and volunteerism that has made the ANC what it is today, a broad church of their people and the true.
“Undoubtedly, we would not have achieved a thing without a sterling contribution of some progressive members of the business community. Even now, we need a strong and vibrant business community. And, this distinguished audience can attest to this fact,” said Siyonzana.
Businesspeople donated various amounts towards hosting the conference.
The second transition policy states that the structure of this discussion paper is aimed at helping members to identify and debate the key issues – both theoretical and practical – that will help them to answer the difficult questions about the future of South Africa and our movement of ANC.