ANC NEC member Supra Mahumapelo said it was now the time for the ANC to assess whether it and its structures remain relevant.
Mahumapelo said this should be assessed in order to determine how party structures could keep it relevant and appropriate, especially based on the recent shifting balance of forces emanating from the May 29 elections.
He said one of the possible options to explore in order to shape the future was to review the Freedom Charter, whose major content should be based on South Africa as a country pursuing developmentalism with its own characteristics.
“This is important because developmentalism differs from one country to another based on its own circumstances. That is why a country such as China believes in socialism, but socialism with Chinese characteristics.
“The broad consultation to review the Freedom Charter will not only assist in ensuring active citizenry, but ensure that the ultimate final document,” SA Freedom Charter for a Developmental Stat“, is something that all society can own, internalise, collectively implement, defend and review after every three decades.
“The people and all other trading partners will be able to understand that, though democratic elections may result in the change of the country’s political leadership, there will be certainty and predictability on fundamental matters such as international relations, economy, social cohesion,, etc,” he explained.
Mahumapelo said in order for the ANC to achieve this strategically important task of repositioning and renewal of the ANC, the people and the branches of the ANC were the most critical.
He emphasised that without the people grasping and actively participating in the implementation of the ideal vision, it would be impossible to succeed.
“Without the ANC branches grasping, understanding and executing the idea, there will be no success. The revolution will stall or take a completely different direction. As the ANC, we must accept the reality that the society has undergone rapid and far-reaching, unavoidable changes.
“Unlike before democracy, there are not many people with the time, discipline, appetite, interest, even the courage to join and become consistently active members.
“Among the existing ANC branches, only a few can be described as fully functional, effective and at all times placed at the centre of challenges facing communities.”
However, Mahumapelo said there were no conclusive ideas, as this was part of an attempt to contribute to the ANC’s renewal.
“It is one’s hope that branch members and leaders will make further contributions in strengthening these necessary reflections. It is after the May 29 elections that we have to drastically change the manner in which we are structured as a movement and become not only relevant to the changing conditions, but make the masses the real and true owners of their organisation,” he concluded.
The Star