MEDIA STATEMENT
13 November 2018
All Media Houses:
ANCPL BOASTS A SUCCESSFUL CONSULTATIVE FORUM IN MPUMALANGA PROVINCE.
JOHANNESBURG: On the 10th of November 2018, at Emnotweni Southern Sun in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, professionals from all walks of life, including, academia, business, government, etc., descended to attend the ANCPL consultative conference which was aimed at introducing the ANCPL in the province as well as to afford professionals in the province an opportunity to air their views on the birth of this important brain child as initiated by certain distinguished professionals. The event was attended by some of the media houses, including Ligwalagwala FM, Sowetan, to mention but a few.
The professionals who attended the forum were elated to witness this development. They related on their reasons for their challenges towards participation in ANC structures, especially at the traditional branch levels. One of the major challenges at branch level is gate keeping emanating from where professionals are viewed as a political threat to some members in the branch. The nature of work and business challenges that are faced by professionals on day to day are not easily ventilated in the branch level. The work pressures of professionals further makes it impossible for professionals to participate in a traditional branch. Some professionals work demanding jobs, like nurses, doctors, police and business entrepreneurs, which takes them away from their homes, wards and branches so their participation is compromised.
Professionals unanimously agreed that the ANCPL brought serious hope to the professional in that it will afford them a window of opportunity to contribute meaningfully and professionally within their different areas of expertise, without any fear, favour of prejudice using the provincial ANCPL as a vehicle to strengthen the ANC.
The forum was clear on the terms of existence of the ANCPL at all levels of the country as guided by the founding documents and related policies. It was clear on the birth of the ANCPL, though autonomous, as not being to replace or duplicate the already existing organs of the ANC, such as the Youth League and Women’s League, but has been located as being an organ as well with its own niche mandate, and being the advanced detachment of the ANC aimed at carrying out specific, unique and specialized functions that are scientifically and academically inclined in order to meaningfully and robustly contribute to the National Democratic Revolution (NDR). It is paramount for the ANCPL to clarify this point in order to allay fears and concerns that may manifest themselves within the provincial ANC, that of the ANCPL being viewed as having been established to compete for power or positions of power within the ANC. The main overarching role of the ANCPL shall be viewed and construed to be, a Body of Knowledge within the ANC and, more so, a vanguard on and of its policy reviews and new policy development.
Moreover, the forum noted that the ANC as an institution, like any organization, is also susceptible to be affected by its internal, external and international environment as it traverses its journey towards economic emancipation of its greater masses. Today, we do not sing the songs and chant the slogans of the 1st and 2nd industrial revolution, for example, because of their irrelevancy to this day. Similarly, the institutional arrangements, structures and systems of the ANC are also liquid to adapt to these ever changing social, political and economic environments. The ANCPL, therefore, shall be viewed as a new spoke in the ever turning wheel of the ANC in the 4th Industrial revolution premised at giving the ANC a facelift as well as a cosmopolitan outlook in order to be contemporary in its future strategic approaches.
The forum also noted that the Education that most professionals in the country amassed and enjoy today, came as a result of the unwavering fight posed by the ANC as a liberation movement, and other Mass Democratic Movements, against apartheid’s genocide through the application of revolutionary policies such as the Freedom Charter, with specific reference to its then popular extract: “The Doors of Learning and Culture Shall be Opened to All”. It is unfortunate that such professionals, including those in the opposition parties, who have benefitted from the freedom brought about by the ANC are not obliged to be beholden to the ANC. The ANCPL, in contrast, feels beholden and is resolutely gunning to dispute the myth and divine deception that is used by some of the opposition parties in their campaigns, that of the opposition having leadership and membership that is most educated and learned over the ANC’s. This fact saw the ANC being relegated in some of the key Metros in the country and replaced by a coalition of the opposition.
The forum agreed to elevate the leadership ethics within the provincial ANC by being a voice of reason and isolate itself from activities and acts that seek to cause friction amongst structures, leadership and individuals within the ANC thereby causing the “Them and Us” syndrome and factions. The ANCPL therefore calls upon the provincial ANC in Mpumalanga and all its structures to desist from unethical leadership squabbles and to work hand-in-glove with the ANCPL in renewing the ANC towards the achievement of a harmonious and unified ANC that is free from corruption gate keeping, unethical behaviour, corruption and hooliganism.
As we approach the 2019 elections, the forum committed that, as its immediate task, the provincial ANCPL will put its shoulder behind the wheel in assisting the ANC structures at all levels in the province with its election campaign. This will be opportune for the two organizations to forge synergized relationship and cohesion to deliver a resounding victory.
The ANCPL in Mpumalanga will soon roll-out its programme of action which is still under development and part of the programme being to establish regional and local structures within the province. We urge all professionals to be on the lookout on all media forms for the adverts with dates during which these structures will be established in the various areas and let all and sundry come to ensure that the ANCPL is established at all levels.
The current Interim Provincial Executive Committee was nominated during this forum is as follows:
- Bheki Mdlovu : Provincial Chaiperson, Cell: 081 818 6669
- Force Maduna : Provincial Secretary General, Cell 0769839840
- Ms Khethiwe Silubane: Provincial Treasurer
- Bheki Shabangu : Provincial Programmes & Campaign Coordinator
- AB Mkhatshwa : Provincial Communications & Stakeholder Engagement
Issued by Force Maduna
Provincial Secretary General: Mpumalanga
On behalf of: African National Congress Professionals League (ANCPL): Mpumalanga
