ANC member of parliament Supra Mahumapelo has proposed that the party reduce the number of its national executive committee (NEC) members and include one member from each of the nine provinces to promote inclusivity.
This will also help eradicate an entrenched culture where monied members buy branches to elect them to the NEC.
Mahumapelo also calls for a review of the Freedom Charter.
He also said the party should introduce the position of deputy president of international relations. The former North West premier stated this in a document he penned and distributed among ANC members in parliament.
In the document, titled “Another Perspective on ANC Repositioning and Renewal” and dated August 8, Mahumapelo said the May 29 election results highlighted the need for the party to address shifting dynamics.
He proposes a reduction in branch card-carrying membership, and reduction of the national executive committeefrom 87 to 54 members.
He stated that the NEC would rotate to various regions once a quarter for at least a week to understand the country’s dynamics and demonstrate the unitary character of the ANC.
He also called for the publication of performance and assessment reports in public, and a mechanism for public feedback.
Mahumapelo says every province through officials, branches and regions will identify the most suitable candidates.
“Hopefully this will eliminate the use of money to buy branches to elect people to the NEC.
“These are not conclusive ideas. This is part of an attempt to contribute to the renewal of the ANC. It is one’s hope that branch members and leaders will make further contributions.”
He told Sunday World the document was neither commissioned nor intended for any particular ANC structure. He suggests a comprehensive review of the Freedom Charter, similar to China’s approach, saying the move could help create a “SA Freedom Charter for a Developmental State” consistent in areas like international relations and social cohesion.
“Reviewing the Freedom Charter is one way to shape our future. This document should reflect South Africa’s unique path to development.”
The document further reads: “Our ANC branches are more conference ignition-based, mostly non-functional and without community programmes, politically fractured, easy-buy-easy-sell tendencies, easy to suppress because of low levels of political education, self-suppress due to wrong understanding of democratic centralism.
“Some are riddled with violent conflict, easy to manipulate by powerful individuals wielding the power of money and positions…”
Mahumapelo also suggests the establishment of ANC Fans Forum, ANC Voters Forum, ANC Activists Forum, ANC Members Forum, ANC Supporters Forum, ANC Senior Citizens Forum, ANC Stalwarts or Veterans Forum, and a former ANC Public Representatives Forum.
The ANC Forum would be a platform for South Africans and non-South Africans to be associated with the ANC, allowing them to contribute ideas, funds, and donations.
The ANC Activists Forum would be card-carrying and non-card-carrying members who participate in ANC programmes and defend the organisation’s policies and principles.
The ANC Voters Forum would be people who regularly vote for the party. The ANC Members Forum is strictly for registered members who have taken an oath and are expected to attend meetings and programmes.
The ANC Supporters Forum is for those interested in supporting the ANC.
The ANC Senior Citizens Forum is for those older than 75.The ANC Stalwarts and Veterans Forum would be for members with 40 years of unbroken activism in the ANC and alliance partners.
The Former ANC Public Representatives Forum is for former ANC public representatives who have served the ANC and held public office.
“This is important because some of them feel sidelined and isolated from the ANC. Even if such members continue to be active in the various structures of the ANC and alliance partners, they are a critical body that the ANC must use to advance the course of the revolution,” according to Mahumapelo.
