Anc Today Voice of the African National Congress

ANC TODAY VOICE OF THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

23–29 April 2021 Conversations with the President

Our ambitions should match the size of our challenges

AST week, I visited the Port its vast scale and complexity. As to consumers. of Durban to see for my- we left the pier, we watched the self the work being done to African Finch, an enormous ves- On the other hand, if the port make the port more efficient sel laden with over 30,000 tonnes works well, it can drive economic Land competitive. After a briefing of timber, depart from the termi- growth and position our country with the senior management of nal. A vessel of this size carries as a gateway to the region and Transnet, I toured the harbour in a immense economic value, and the continent. pilot boat, which is usually used to many such vessels pass through guide large ships through the en- the port every day. When I visited Durban in October trance channel to the pier. 2019, many local businesses and If the port does not function effi- port users raised concerns with Seeing the workings of the port ciently, the entire economy suf- me about the performance of the from the water, one is reminded of fers, from importers and exporters Durban Port. Shipping companies

FREEDOM DAY – Dear Mr President POLITICAL ECONOMY REFLECTIONS A GOVERNMENT FOR THE AND THE ROAD TO ON THE ROADS PEOPLE: REVOLUTIONISING OUR RECOVERY AND TRAVELLED 4 MUNICIPALITIES. 6 RECONSTRUCTION 8 2 ANC Today CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT

pay as consumers.

We have made improving the efficiency of our ports a priority of Operation Vulindlela, and have focused on rebuilding Transnet, which is one of our valued state owned enterprises. The new management of Transnet and its op- erating divisions are resolutely focused on turning the performance of the port around.

The management has ambitious and exciting expansion plans for all five of the port’s precincts. These include the deepening of the Maydon Wharf channel to al- Port of Durban in KZN low larger, modern vessels to en- ter the port, the infill of Pier 1 and in particular expressed concern Morocco and Port Said in Egypt. Pier 2 to create additional capaci- about truck congestion and wait- Truck turnaround times have ty for containers, and the developing times, ship berthing delays greatly improved. Similarly, the ment of a new container terminal and anchorage times, poor main- reliability of cargo handling equip- in the Point Precinct. tenance of equipment and gener- ment has improved to 80%, and is ally low productivity in the port. heading towards at least 95% to Altogether, the expansion of in- meet international benchmarks. frastructure at the port will require My visit to the port last week was Ship waiting times have reduced R100 billion in new investments to check whether the commit- to impressive levels. over the next decade and more. ments made in response to these This will completely transform the concerns had been implemented. These statistics may seem techni- port, expanding its capacity for cal and obscure, but they have a container handling from 2.9 mil- There has indeed been great direct impact on the growth of our lion units to more than 11 million progress over the past year in economy and on the prices we units. turning around the performance of the port, despite the impact of These ambitious plans will require COVID-19. We have made improving greater private sector participa- tion and investment. Transnet, in- These efforts are already showing the efficiency of our ports cluding the Durban Port, is an im- results in improved maintenance portant national asset belonging of equipment, reduced conges- a priority of Operation to the people of South Africa. tion, quicker turnaround times and increased use of rail instead Vulindlela, and have Partnerships with the private sec- of road transport. tor are crucial to bring new invest- focused on rebuilding ment, technology and expertise to While this is important progress, port operations and to modernise

there is still much work to be done Transnet, which is one of equipment and infrastructure. to position Durban as a world- Transnet is planning, for example,

class port and as a hub port for our valued state owned to advertise a concession later ‘ the Southern Hemisphere. ‘ this year to build and operate the new Point Terminal. This will bring In recent years, the port has enterprises. in private investment and improve slipped from its position as first in the efficiency of container han- Africa to third, behind Tangier in dling. 3 ANC Today CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT

President being briefed about developments at the Durban port

Through our reform process, we forms, Durban Port will reclaim its ricans are capable of succeeding are steadily improving the effi- place as the best-performing port in projects of vast importance and ciency of our ports and railways in Africa. scale. and unlocking massive investment in infrastructure. This will not As part of our Reconstruction and Our ambitions should match the only lower costs and improve the Recovery Plan, we will continue size of our challenges. competitiveness of our exports, to work tirelessly to expand infra- but will create thousands of new structure investment and trans- With the progress we are making jobs in the process. form our network industries. at the Durban port, with the rein- vigorated skills and capabilities Through both operational im- If my visit to Durban left one thing that we have in Transnet, we now provements and structural rein my mind, it is that we South Af- have the wind in our sails. And we are moving at a rate of knots towards our destination. Through our reform process, we are steadily improving

the efficiency of our ports

and railways and unlocking

‘ massive investment‘ in infrastructure. 4 ANC Today COMMENT & ANALYSIS

Freedom Day – Reflections on the roads travelled

n By ANC Deputy Secretary General Jessie Duarte

HARLOTTE Maxeke was or Afrikaans. The only constant a woman whose ability to was the ever-present poverty that stand firm no matter what came with joblessness and ma- she faced, is how I would triculation with no future to look Cput context to what I wish to write forward to. Thinking of higher ed- here. I cannot compare myself to ucation was either becoming a her or to any other women because nurse, teacher, mechanic, welder our lived realities are shaped by or carpenter. On a rare occasion, our individual environments. I also one of us would break out and go think it’s arrogant to compare one- to UWC or even Wits. self with great people. So, these were my circumstanc- I lived all my life in small homes, es as a child. I was offered a normal for working class families. scholarship post my matric year My mother was a garment work- and spent a year in the USA. It er and my father worked in mine should have been a year that trading stores, shoe stores and would assist me to get a scholar- drove a bakery van. He took what- ship to a university there, but that ever job that came along, a job Comrade Jessie Duarte was not to be. I came home and that put food on the table. There in 1973 married my now ex-hus- were also years of unemployment band, studied a few courses and when one or other of my parents dren of mineworkers and hawkers became a certified bookkeeper had no work. of many goods, factory workers, whilst I tried to continue with my teachers, doctors and lawyers. studies at UNISA. However, I be- I was raised in Newclare and my came active in the politics of my whole life revolved around that Newclare was the home of many area. We started a Newclare resi- area. Holidays and school days leaders of the ANC. My moth- dents association and fought high were in the same area for most er was an active garment union electricity charges, but mainly it of my life. Books took me on jour- member. My older brothers were was to attempt to inspire activism. neys throughout the world, an young activists. “No Sports in an Abnormal So- escape from the mundane same- ciety” became a rallying call and ness of living on the wrong side of In 1961, all that changed ruthless- organisations began to emerge the track and in a racially divided ly as people were removed and around the issue of education and community. taken to Lenasia and Soweto and sport. The Black Consciousness homes were bulldozed to make Movement was the very begin- It was not always like that. In my room for cheap housing project. nings of mobilisation for me, but very early years ours was a vi- Flats covered the green fields my family were solidly Congress brant diverse community; we were we played in and we all looked people, and soon I too followed multilingual small children, chil- the same and spoke only English the traditions of Congress. 5 ANC Today COMMENT & ANALYSIS

Freedom Day celebrations

In late 1979, I met Mama Sisulu had achieved a universal suffrage that the road ahead would be dif- and so began a life of true ac- and all South Africans could vote ficult, and it is clear that the chal- tivism as a very active member for the laws that would emerge lenges we face now are not unex- of a group to establish women’s under an ANC led government. pected. Yet, face them we must, organisations in all provinces. I bring about the vision in the Free- was active in the Anti-President’s I stood in line on that day, appre- dom Charter and apply the tactics Council to protest against the rac- hensive, happy, and strangely de- we so carefully discuss in every ist tricameral parliament. tached as if I was watching a mov- conference of the ANC. ie. I stood in line for four hours I worked for Ravan Press as an before I got to the ballot box. I saw This second transition period of accountant, then for Reverend people from the community silent- transformation from what Apart- Beyers Naude where I ran a ly waiting or excitedly talking, a heid was to a non-racial, non-sex- scholarship programme whose peaceful day. ist, united and democratic country task was to find scholarships for takes courage. There are contra- activists in preparation for a new At this point I worked for Cde Nel- dictions to manage and old ideas civil service in a free South Africa. son Mandela. It had been four in- and norms to defeat. Our road to I remained closely attached to my credible years with the greatest a better life for all is long and ar- community, by then in a township human being I was honoured to duous. called Riverlea. serve. My head was full of what lay ahead, plans for the inaugura- There is no freedom with- I was banned when the first state tion, my own future as a person out economic freedom and of emergency was declared, but on the Gauteng list to become an for this we need to radically continued with the mobilisation MPL. The training I had received change the structure of our work for the ANC, and primarily as in 1993 at the Civil Service Col- economy and implement part of the activists whose task it lege would stand me in good progressive laws to bring was to make the country ungov- stead. Big questions about our ernable. The UDF became our ability to transition from activism about social transformation life. to governance occupied my mind. and, with it, social justice.

Finally, on 27 April 1994, the pe- I voted and knew that there was 27 years into our democracy. riod of negotiations at CODESA no turning back, ever. I also knew The struggle must continue. 6 ANC Today COMMENT & ANALYSIS A government for the people: Revolutionising Municipalities

Dear Mr President ernment works optimally, there is stability and solidarity within the NCE again this year, community. the people of our country will flock to the polls For the longest time, we have to elect their local gov- spoken about local economic de- Oernment councillors for the next velopment but many municipali- five years. ties have failed to internalise this concept. The local government elections, slated for October this year As the ANC, it is up to us to empow- (2021), come during a testing time er and capacitate our public repre- for everyone as our country and sentatives in order to truly transform the rest of the world battles the the fortunes of our people. deadly coronavirus. The mainstream media and social Be that as it may, the elections will media were ecstatic during the go ahead under strict hygiene pro- last local government elections tocols after the Independent Elec- Comrade Pule Mabe when the ANC “lost” power in tions Commission (IEC) showed three metro municipalities of Tsh- wane, Jo’burg and Nelson Man- the way when it held the long over- The inefficiencies plaguing local dela Bay. due by-elections in November last government are behind the ser- year (2020).The African Nation- vice delivery protests which flare Even though we subsequently real Congress showed once again up now and again and have led to tained some of them due to coali- during those by-elections that it vandalism and destruction of pub- tions, we need to ensure that this had no equal in terms of appeal to lic and private properties. time we win key municipalities the voters and populace when it convincingly. made a clean sweep of the wards The annual reports by the Auditor that were being contested. General have painted a damning This puts the onus on our can- picture with regard to the use of didates and leaders to hit the However, Mr President, this does municipal finances with little con- ground running. not in any way mean that we sequences for those who are re- should take for granted the sup- sponsible. Even though the pandemic hin- port our people have shown to our ders proper campaigning, the 109-year-old organisation. It is the responsibility of the ANC new normal has presented all of to turn this situation around be- us with the opportunity to engage It is the duty of the ANC and its lead- cause we hold the majority of mu- with our communities in creative ers across the board to ensure that nicipalities in the country. ways. only candidates who are beyond probity are fielded. Councillorship Local government is the institution In the communications unit, we should not be determined by pop- that is close to the people and its are geared to ratchet our efforts to ularity, but by the will to serve our impact is immediately felt with re- conscientise and imbue our cadres people and deliver the crucial ser- gard to the delivery or non-deliv- with the tools they need to commu- vices as per their mandate. ery of services. Where local gov- nicate with their communities. 7 ANC Today COMMENT & ANALYSIS

Mr President, the calibre of the Local Government candidate who will raise their Elections 2021 date hands to lead a ward is central to has been set... what we seek to achieve as an organisation. To prevent the debacle that hap- pened in 2011 when many of our candidates were rejected by their communities, the ANC should ensure that only those who are deeply rooted among the people are fielded. It is also important that those who are ultimately vetted are cadres who are steeped in the ANC tra- dition. It is futile to have opportun- ists whose sole aim is to line their pockets at the expense of the rep- utation of our glorious movement. Over the years, research has shown that local government the responsibility to deliver ser- and we should not hesitate to cull elections attract lower participa- vices. non-performing representatives. tion than the national and provin- The much-maligned cadre deploy- cial elections. We need to turn this The pandemic exposed the fis- ment policy should not be used as tide, together with opposition po- sures that have long being sim- a ticket to pilfer public funds. As litical parties. mering on the surface and the a matter of fact, only cadres who time is overdue when we need to understand the overriding mission Local government can no longer ensure that promises are kept. of the ANC should be deployed afford to be the orphan of gover- and only those who are suitably Now that the local government nance. qualified should be contracted to elections date have been pro- It needs to be at the centre of de- serve on the frontline. The scan- claimed, the next step would be dals of under-qualified officials livery. During the pandemic, local the launching of our manifesto in government proved inadequate to who are hired for political reasons order to give our candidates their should be confined to the dustbin cater for disaster management. marching orders. Water shortages that have long of history. stoked discord among communi- Our manifesto will hold those Mr President, this is an honest ap- ties were sharply exposed as peo- that we are going to elect to ac- praisal of our fortunes and short- ple were required to limit unneces- count. As the ANC, we need not comings in local government over sary movement and stay at home hold back when our councillors the last six terms. It is also true as much as possible and to wash fail and betray their communities. that there are pockets of munici- their hands frequently. These hy- We should not wait until protests palities that are doing a sterling giene protocols proved very chal- disrupt peace and stability before job and honouring the mandate of lenging in different municipalities we intervene. Councillors who their communities and the ANC. and national and provincial gov- are rooted within their communi- ernments had to intervene on an ties should be the first signal of This is a culture we need to incul- urgent basis. While cooperative discord. It is unfair to expect our cate against all odds. governance between all the three people to wallow in sewer and filth Yours sincerely tiers is provided for by the consti- until the community rises up in an- tution, it is a sad indictment when ger and rampage. one leg of government fails in Pule Mabe its duties and it reflects badly on The name of the ANC supersedes National Spokesperson and Head of the those we have been tasked with the selfish interests of individuals Department of Information and Publicity 8 ANC Today PERSPECTIVE

Our political economy and the road to our recovery and reconstruction

n By Sikhumbuzo Thomo

S we begin the long and difficult recovery road from the coronavirus pandemic, and we put aA spotlight on the world economy today, it is without any shadow of doubt that the global economy is still facing enormous challenges. We are aware of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that came at a backdrop of our domestic challenges related to electricity, drought and high youth unemployment.

Despite the impending recovery, effects of the COVID-19 slug- gish economic growth will sadly to be a country that relies on the currently doing, it is not only to be around for some considerable production and export of our pri- have the infrastructure in place. time. The recent economic down- mary commodities. It is also to use the infrastructure turn and depressed commodity as a means to promote economic prices have painfully reminded us We need to continue working to development. that as a country, we must deep- bring about structural reforms en our industrial base and bene- at two inter-related levels: first- It is here I think that the ERRP ficiate, or remain forever vulner- ly, we need to place our produc- comes into its full element that able to volatile global commodity tive sectors firmly at the heart of creates conditions for a rejuve- prices. The possibilities of export a new growth path that will move nated economy. This is done by led growth are so limited that they us up the value chains. Second- seeking to combine infrastructure negatively affect most develop- ly, we must significantly broaden led growth that creates condi- ing countries, including ours. So, the base of economic participa- tions, and programmes that coop- we need as a counter measure tion. These are some of the com- erate around value added produc- among others to strengthen our mitments of the Economic Re- tive activities. That is the way we domestic market base to sustain construction and Recovery Plan need to scale up if we are to hit industrial development and eco- (ERRP), and provide the only the scales towards where China is nomic growth. The circumstanc- plausible basis on which to secure now presently, for example. es we find ourselves in require higher rates of inclusive growth that we re-double our efforts to and investment. As an example, Now, from where we come from, radically transform our country’s when the ERRP speaks about South Africa was at some point economy. We can no longer afford building infrastructure, as we are the most industrialised country in 9 ANC Today PERSPECTIVE

the African continent historically Objectives of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan from a political economy context, post the 1994 transition. That is what we inherited. The bulk of the industry was heavily orientat- ed towards the domestic market and was quite highly protected, and went through a shock with the instrument of the Uruguay Round obligations. One of the issues for the ANC at the time was that the apartheid government had classi- fied our country as a developed country. We have subsequently changed that and the effect of this was that we took bigger tariff cuts than Brazil and India for example. That is where we come from, and our industrial sector did not do well.

So what we are trying to do now is to turn this post-transition economic de-industrialisation around, using the ERRP. In particular we have drawn many lessons from all our economy since the Recon- struction and Development Pro- gramme (RDP). A lot of the questions, even criticism on the ERRP, unfairly come on the overall mac- not signed the Optional Protocol er, when you look around, there is ro environment, which is not what on government procurement. Had as not enough local producers to the ERRP is about. For a small we signed the protocol, all of the take advantage of the government and open economy like ours, there localisation initiatives and its good spend to boost local jobs. This is are intractable issues that we can intents will have come to naught. the immediate challenge that the never be able to deal with, like the And for as long as we do not sign plan seeks to resolve. currency for instance. Our curren- the protocol, it means we can use cy (Rand) varies with that of the our own interventions to support There is still a long way to go in EU (Euro). Put it simply, as a frag- localisation like we have done in addressing many other economic ile economy, when we trade with the plan. Had we stepped aside issues. However, we are making the West, the Rand is at the mer- of that and tried to force that onto noticeable progress. We have cy of global uncertainty, and this the private sector, then we would had a social dialogue process that has a direct impact on the overall have been in violation on Trade has led to the formulation of this South African economy. The op- Related Investment Measures plan with all social partners in the posite does not obtain when one (TRIMS). country. This plan recognises that of the western countries’ economy there is significant convergence is in dire straits. So, this is how we have gone amongst the social partners on about it in the ERRP. We have what needs to be done to set our Importantly, one other key aspect seen that when we have infra- economy on a new accelerat- is localisation. There is a chal- structure programmes, we have ed, inclusive and transformative lenge on localisation issues and far too many and far too high a growth trajectory. the ERRP seeks to address and percentage of imported products. consequently resolve that. As a Right now we need COVID-19 Sikhumbuzo Thomo is the Head of government, we have thankfully health oriented products. Howev- Economic Diplomacy Task Team (IR). 10 ANC Today PERSPECTIVE

Working with stress, not against it

n By Werner Gaigher

HRONIC stress in the workplace is a very real threat to productivity today. And, although a Cshoulder massage while sitting at your desk is most certainly pleas- ant, most companies fall way short of addressing the problem effec- tively. To date, employers’ go-to strategy to reduce this stress is to offer wellness programmes to staff members.

But as good as the intentions on the part of management are, the strategy doesn’t work. The reason for this is the one-size-fits-all mod- el the programmes are run on. through-and-through bad thing. In not a prey either stalking it or in Workers, like everyone else, are fact, if you’re a totally stress-free hot pursuit. It’s called the “stress individuals – each with their own animal in the wild, you might pay response” and it’s a lifesaver. set of strengths and weaknesses. for it with your life. But the office is not a plain in the It works like this: when an animal Serengeti. It’s vastly different. Be- UNPACKING THE “STRESS senses a real and present danger, yond having water coolers instead RESPONSE” its adrenal glands increase the of drinking holes, and air-con- The problem runs deeper than production of adrenalin and cor- ditioning instead of tree shade, the models themselves, however. tisol; blood is redirected from the places of work are most probably At its root is a misunderstanding internal organs to the muscles; around 95% safer than the wild. of what stress really is. Despite the heart rate increases and its The actual threats to one’s life what the programmes teach us- pupils dilate. All of this is designed in an office are close to zero being terms such as “stress man- to give the animal a burst of ener- cause, yes, no one has ever died agement” and “creating a stress- gy and heighten its senses to sur- of missing a deadline or being free environment”, stress is not a vive the threat, more often than shouted at by their boss. 11 ANC Today PERSPECTIVE

Yet, in offices around the world, people are sitting at their desks experiencing the same sensations a zebra has in the Serengeti being chased by a lion. Even worse, where the zebra returns to a state of relative peace when the lion is outrun, office workers remain chronically stressed even though a threat such as losing one’s job can be negated simply by doing good work. Why is this?

The reason is that humans have the same primitive brain and an- cient autonomic nervous system as most mammals in the wild. Un- like animals, however, we have for some reason attained the ability to reason, plan, negotiate and con- template about the past and future. Ironically, it is exactly this thinking part of our brains – this constant contemplation – that keeps us in a chronic state of stress. We can’t seem to turn it off. Yes, my job is secure if I work hard, we think, but what if something beyond my control happens and I’m out on the street? What if a meteor strikes danger, and to be willing to under- danger. and the whole world comes to an stand these states and change end? What then?! our relationship towards them. The solution is to start befriend- Before we start to do anything ing these various body sensa- about our situation, we first need tions. This requires awareness of WORKING WITH STRESS to understand that our body is re- the here and now, and a turning Us humans have lost the volun- sponding to protect us – and it’s towards these sensations with a tary ability to shake off the feeling doing so without our permission. gentle, agenda-less, curious at- that there is always a threat and titude. Remember these sensa- something bad is about to hap- The stress response is an invol- tions are trying to protect you. pen. This has huge implications untary reaction by the nervous for our health, relationships and system. It is called “neurocep- Once we become familiar with our overall functionality and pro- tion” – and it happens before, our various individual responses ductivity. The trick is to complete and completely independently, and sensations, we can voluntari- these cycles of stress instead of from perception. Unfortunately, ly modulate our nervous system being trapped within them and our nervous system struggles to through tools such as breathing, keeping that energy stuck within differentiate between a life threat, movement, sound, and social our bodies. like a lion chasing us, and a dead- support to name a few, to move line which holds no threat to our our nervous system towards more Working with stress – reducing it health whatsoever. For the ner- reflexivity. We need stress, but – and the ability to return our bod- vous system it is all the same. we also need the tools to switch ies to a more balanced, calm and So, when our bodies respond to a stress off when it is not relevant. soothing state, requires us to un- deadline as if it’s a lion, our mind derstand how our bodies respond tells us that we should be afraid. First published in Business Update, to the perception of safety and We literally think ourselves into Issue 19 12 ANC Today Q&A

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Q&A Kagiso Given n By Leo Ndabambi Mashaba

1. Please tell us more about through arts and education and to yourself. restore Africa’s identity and share Given is a born-again Christian it with the world” (Hugh, 2015). who was born and bred in Alexan- Our takeaway from the latter is dra Township. He is an Educa- aligned to the ANC’s theme for tor at SAHETI School (Account- year 2021 of unity, renewal, and ing teacher) and has a Bachelor reconstruction. We learn that in of Education Degree as well as a order to build, have hope and be Post Graduate Diploma in Man- revived, our true identity must be agement – in the field of Business restored first before we can share Administration. He believes in our great capabilities with the changing the world, one learn- world. er at a time through teaching and learning. In addition, he has Collins Chabane developed an in- ownership levels of commitment terest in music while in prison. He when it comes to serving his fam- played the harmonica and man- ily, church, school and society at aged to release two albums. Fur- large. Furthermore, he has pas- Kagiso Given Mokhutswane thermore, he obtained a Diploma sion for music and plays drums for Mashaba in Engineering and a Diploma in a musical band which was found- School teacher and artist Management while in prison. He ed in Alexandra. He believes that was later appointed as the Min- music played and major role in ister in the Presidency. From his protesting segregation during the history and achievements, we apartheid era and helps us ex- Degree, she was the first black learn that you can be chained but press ourselves in the spiritual South African woman to earn a your spirit, mind and soul can nev- realm. degree. This amplifies the owner be bound to any system or in- ership levels of commitment that stitution. You are who you say you Charlotte exemplified. are, and that the greater freedom 2. The ANC’s theme for 2021 is: is within you. THE YEAR OF UNITY, RENEW- AL, AND RECONSTRUCTION; 3. What can we learn from past IN THE YEAR OF CHARLOTTE activists from the entertain- 4. As an educator, what do I MAXEKE. What can you tell us ment industry like bra Hugh think pupils should do to fight about uMam’ Charlotte Maxeke? Masekela and comrade Collins COVID-19? Charlotte Maxeke and I share Chabane, as they are remem- Learners must act independently something special. She was also bered during freedom month? and make fruitful decisions that an educator who taught indig- Hugh Masekela was an exam- will result in their family, friends, enous languages to expatriates ple of a person who believed that teachers and the society to be and Basic English to African “boss Freedom is embedded in ‘know- safe from the virus by taking all boys”. She was a member of a ing thyself’. The Hugh Masekela precautionary measures that help choir that toured Europe, North Heritage Foundation’s mission is protect us from being infected with America, Canada and the United “to unearth, preserve, and pro- the virus. They should be mindful States. After obtaining her B.Sc mote Africa’s heritage and culture that although they are not high risk 13 ANC Today Q&A people, this does not mean they 7. What is it that the upcoming the South African Qualifications should be careless by interacting youth of South Africa can con- Authority and the NQF Sct (No. 67 without masks or social distancing tribute towards attaining the ed- of 2008) acknowledges the Qual- because they can be carriers of ucation that they need through ity Council for Trades and Occu- the virus that will affect and infect the creative arts? pations (SETAs & amp; Profes- their loved ones and all other high They need to have ownership sional Bodies) that people can be risk individuals around them. levels of commitment instead of trained, assessed and qualified in obligation levels of commitment the workplace to achieve NQF lev- when it comes to their studies. els 4 to 10. They will then receive 5. Also being a live performing They must own education and not National Occupational Awards, based on the Organising Frame- arts entertainer, what is your do work because of avoiding con- work of Occupations (OFO). view on how best we can edu- sequences such as punishment if cate society to better fight the work is not done. In addition, the plight of GBVF and LGBTQIA+ Youth must understand that they have a role to play in governance 8. What is your motto? as second pandemic? Music still remains a medium to and contributing to our nation in Hope is King: Reconstruc- the long run. Therefore, prepa- be used to address issues relat- tion, Revival, Renewal is ration will be their acceleration ing to LGBTQIA+ and GBVF that possible if one believes that to their destination (educational- we are facing as the human race. regardless of what the nation ly). Furthermore, the Youth must Musicians must be aware of cur- discard the misconception that is going through, there is still rent affairs so that each time they qualifications are only achieved hope for us to Rebuild. perform, their performance should through educational institutions. be relevant by means of address- Knowledge about the NQF with The morale of the nation can only ing issues. In contrast, it would its enabling bodies and legislation be uplifted if we preach HOPE and be difficult to play songs that ad- must be shared with the Youth for implement all actions promised to dress socio-economic issues at a them to make informed decisions the nation. This way, we will be person’s wedding. So the govern- about gaining skills, knowledge, giving room to SYNERGY, upon ment should create many more attitudes and values through all which all resources of the country platforms and make funding avail- available means. For example, will be used efficiently. able for musicians to use music to address issues affecting our nation.

6. What is your highest achievement? It is establishing a family at a young age which money cannot buy, as well as continuously serving one another. This is my highest achievement because I believe that for us to have a great nation, it starts with having strong family structures. The ecosys- temic theory qualifies the latter in terms of how we are socialised into the broader community. So everyone is a result of their up- bringing. I was brought up from a family line where my previous generation took up the opportunity to serve others in one way or another, through using their own academic achievements. 14 ANC Today THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

24 – 30 April 2021 Sources: SA History Online and O’Malley Archives

■ 24 April 1901 Great Comet of 1901 ‘Great comets’ are so named if they are visible with the naked eye. On 24 April 1901 a comet that became known as ‘The Great Comet of 1901’ or ‘Viscara’ was visible to the naked eye over most of South Africa. The comet was yellowish in colour and remained visible for the next month (until 25 May). The comet was first spotted by astronomers at the Royal Ob- servatory in Cape of Good Hope, and a certain Mr. Innes was the ■ 24 April 1984 Bank of Southern Africa (FNB) – first person to observe the comet Second Poverty study a wholly South African owned and using a 10-inch guiding telescope. published controlled entity. Sir Timothy Bev- The second Carnegie Report on an, chairman of Barclays, admit- Poverty in South Africa is pub- ted that while the decision to pull ■ 24 April 1976 lished (the first focused on ‘poor out of the South African market Benjamin Tyamzashe whites). The report gave account was a commercial one, the pres- received Fort Hare of the structural poverty because sure exerted against the bank by Honorary degree of apartheid colonialism amongst anti-apartheid protesters had a the majority black population. The detrimental effect on the bank’s report revealed levels of poverty business in other areas. Stu- as “devastating and extensive”, dent campaigns against Barclays especially in former homeland Bank, initiated in the 1960s, were areas. “In Ciskei, the study found carried on year after year, espe- elderly people living in darkened cially at the beginning of every hovels, sitting on ragged, filthy academic year, to persuade stu- beds and with no food on their dents not to open accounts with shelves. Malnutrition was com- the bank. mon. In the Orange Free State province 800 residents of a Black township were forced to share 12 ■ 24 April 1993 open-pit toilets, which led to an ANC President OR Tambo outbreak of infectious diseases.” passes on Benjamin John Peter Tyamzashe, Oliver Reginald Kaizana Tambo, Xhosa composer and musician, ANC President from 1967 until received an honorary M.A. De- ■ 24 April 1987 1991 passed away after a lifelong gree from the University of Fort Barclays Bank SA changed of service and commitment to Hare in recognition of the major its name to First National freedom of South Africa and Afri- contribution he had made to Xho- Bank ca. Cde OR, as he was affection- sa music. In the 1988 Old Mutu- After protests against Barclays ately known, was born in Bizana, al-Telkom National Choir Festival, Bank’s involvement in South Afri- Eastern Cape in 1917, went on to Tyamzashe was again honoured ca and its apartheid government, study BSC at Fort Hare University posthumously for his immense Barclays Bank (SA) announced in 1941, but was expelled for his contribution to the field of music. its new name – First National political activities before he com- 15 ANC Today THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

The first Speaker of a democrat- it was changed to World Malar- ic and non-racial parliament, Cde ia Day following a lobby by Afri- Frene Noshir Ginwala is born. can member states of the World She went into exile, trained as a Health Organisation. The AU has lawyer and worked as a journalist an ongoing #RoleBackMalaria and in ANC offices in Britain, be- campaign. fore returning to South Africa after the unbanning of the ANC. Cde Frene was also a member of the ■ 26 April 1888 National Executive Committee, Author William Gqoba until her retirement. passes on Author, editor, teacher, catechist, interpreter and wagon-maker Wil- ■ 25 April 1986 liam Wellington Gqoba passed on HRM Mswati III takes up in Lovedale, Eastern Cape. He reigns as monarch of the was born in Gaga, near Alice, and Kingdom of Eswatini was one of the earliest authors in Xhosa literature. After his death, nine of Gqoba’s writings were in- pleted his degree, and went on to cluded in an anthology by W.B. become a teacher of mathemat- Rubusana Zemuk’ inkomo mag- ics. He was one of the founders walandini (1906), and two pieces of the ANC Youth League formed in the anthology by W.G. Bennie, in 1944, becoming its first sec- Imibengo (1935). retary and was elected onto the NEC of the ANC in 1948. Cde OR played a critical role in the mass ■ 26 April 1964 defiance campaigns of the 1950s, United Federation of was elected as ANC deputy presi- Tanzania formed dent in 1958 and after the Sharpe- King Mswati III (Makhosetive Tanganyika and the islands of ville massacre, he was tasked to Dlamini), became King of Swa- Zanzibar unite to become the establish the ANC’s exiled wing, a ziland (now Eswatini) when he United Federation of Tanzania. role he played with distinction and succeeded his late father King The former Zanzibar islands re- dedication until the unbanning of Sobhuza II, who died of pneumo- main semi-autonomous and hold the ANC in 1990. The ANC’s Po- nia in 1982. Two relatives, Queen five of the country’s thirty admin- litical School launched on 12 April Dzeliwe Shongwe and Queen istrative regions. The other 25 are 2019 is named in his honour. Ntombi Thwala, served as re- found in the mainland, formerly gents until Makhosetive, who was Tanganyika. The current president fourteen years old when his father of Tanzania is Samia Suluhu Has- ■ 25 April 1932 died, was ready to take the reins. san and is from Zanzibar. First Speaker of Queen Shongwe ruled from 1982- Parliament, Dr Frene 1983 while Queen Thwala ruled Ginwala born from 1983 until 1986. During that ■ 27 April 1950 time the prospective King was Group Areas Act passed pursuing his studies at the English Apartheid as a system was ob- Sherborne School. sessed with separating the citizens of South Africa on a racial basis. This was done to foster ■ 25 April 2007 White superiority and to entrench First African Malaria Day the minority White regime at the The African Union declared this expense of the Black majority. as African Malaria Day, given the Significant pieces of legislature devastation of the tropical disease were passed in this regard such throughout the continent. In 2014, as the Land Act of 1913, the Mixed 16 ANC Today THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

Marriages Act of 1949 as well as his later years in exile in Bucha- Government of National Unity, the Immorality Amendment Act rest, Romania. Kwame Nkrumah headed by the ANC’s Nelson Man- of 1950. All these acts were de- died on 27 April 1972. dela who became the first dem- signed to bring about the separa- ocratic President of the country. tion of ‘races’. This intention was 27 April has since been declared futile, as there were many urban ■ 27 April 1994 Freedom Day. areas where Black and White South Africa’s First South Africans lived side by side. Democratic Elections On 27 April 1950, the Apartheid ■ 27 April 2002 government passed the Group Mark Shuttleworth speaks Areas Act. This Act enforced the to President Mbeki from segregation of the different races space to specific areas within the urban On this day, the continent’s first locale. It also restricted owner- astronaut, Mark Shuttleworth, ship and the occupation of land spoke with President Thabo Mbe- to a specific statutory group. This ki via video call – from space. meant that Blacks could not own or occupy land in White areas. To enforce the Group Areas Act, peo- ■ 28 April 1924 ple were forcibly removed, and President Kenneth Kaunda by 1980 it was reported that over born 3.5million people were removed on the basis of this barbaric act.

■ 27 April 1972 Kwame Nkrumah passes on Millions of South Africans lined up in their numbers to cast their votes in the first non-racial elections in the country, after negotiations that started in 1990. This election changed the history of South Af- rica. It paved the way towards a Kenneth Kaunda was born in new democratic dispensation and Chinsali, the Northern Province of a new constitution for the country. Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia). For the first time all races in the Kaunda was a qualified teacher country were going to the polls and taught in a number of schools to vote for a government of their for years, and left teaching to fight choice. Nineteen political parties for independence. In 1964, Kaun- participated and twenty-two million da became the first president of Kwame Nkrumah, father of Pan people voted. The election took an independent Zambia. He re- Africanism, became the first prime place in a festive atmosphere, con- mained in power until 1991. Pres- minister and president of Ghana in trary to fears of political violence. ident Kenneth Kaunda supported 1957 until 1966. Ghana (formerly The African National Congress liberation movements from South- known as The Gold Coast) gained won the election with 62.65% of ern Africa, including providing for its independence and became a the vote. The National Party re- the headquarters of the ANC in republic in 1960. Nkrumah was a ceived 20.39%, Inkatha Freedom Lusaka. founder of the Convention Peo- Party 10.54%, Freedom Front ple’s Party. He experienced sev- 2.2%, Democratic Party 1.7%, Pan eral assassination attempts. In Africanist Congress 1.2% and the ■ 28 April 1978 1966, while Nkrumah was on a African Christian Democratic Par- AZAPO formed visit to China, he was deposed by ty 0.5%. Although the ANC gained In the aftermath of the 16 June the police and military. He spent a majority vote, they formed the 1976 Uprising in Soweto, Jo- 17 ANC Today THIS WEEK IN HISTORY hannesburg, the apartheid gov- In 1982, Father Lapsley moved ernment banned all Black Con- from Lesotho to Zimbabwe, af- sciousness Movement (BCM) ter the South African government organisations, including the Black launched a raid into Lesotho that People’s Convention (BPC), the killed 42 people. It was believed South African Students’ Organ- that Father Lapsley was one of isation (SASO) and the Black the targets. On the 28 April 1990, Community Programmes (BCP). Father Lapsley received two piec- Out of the banning of these lib- es of mail from South Africa. In- eration movements, the Azanian cluded in one of the pieces of mail People’s Organisation (AZAPO) was a powerful letter bomb that was founded to carry on the work gravely injured him. This attempt of liberation as an overt organi- on his life was organised by the pro-communist stance. Gumede’s sation. The organisation adopted Civil Cooperation Bureau, a covert three-year term as president-gen- the Black Consciousness philos- organisation of the South African eral of the ANC was characterised ophy advocated by Steven Biko Government’s security apparatus. by dispute and dissension. How- and continued to propagate it in ever, it did introduce new strains its programmes. of radical thought into the ANC, ■ 28 April 2008 and a more militant stance. Oppo- Banyana Banyana sition to Gumede’s fraternity with ■ 28 April 1990 midfielder found raped communism grew, and came to Father Michael Lapsley, an and murdered a head when the anti-communist Anglican priest, is injured On 28 April 2008, Banyana Banya- faction of the national executive by a letter-bomb na midfielder Eudy Simelane, was committee of the ANC took a ma- found in a ditch in the outskirts of jority decision to resign en bloc, her home township KwaThema, and T. Mapikela took over as act- Gauteng. She had been raped, ing president-general. At the an- robbed and murdered. Her rape nual ANC conference on 30 April was a reaction to her sexual ori- 1930, Pixley Seme succeeded entation as Simelane was an out Gumede as president general, by lesbian woman. Simelane had a vote of 39 to 14. This ended Gu- had a successful soccer career mede’s role as prominent figure in and used her celebrity status as South African politics. In recogni- part of her LGBTQIA activism. tion of his earlier services to the She was out in her community ANC he was, however, appointed Father Michael Lapsley was and while reactions to her homo- as lifelong honorary president of born in New Zealand on 2 June sexuality were mixed, KwaThema the organisation. 1949. He was trained as an Angli- did have a known and celebrated can priest in Australia, where he LGBTQI friendly sub-culture. This joined The Society of the Sacred made Simelane’s abduction, rape ■ 30 April 1969 Mission. Father Lapsley came to and murder all the more alarming. Five bush colleges Acts South Africa in 1973 send by the In recent weeks there have been passed Mission, and served as a univer- a number of reports of violence Separate acts give five Universi- sity chaplain at three campuses and murder of people from the ty Colleges for blacks full univer- in Durban. He felt it was his duty LGBTQI community. sity status, (Fort Hare University, to speak out against the injustices University of Durban Westville, of the Apartheid regime. In 1976, University of Zululand, Universi- the Apartheid government exiled ■ 30 April 1930 ty of the Western Cape and Tur- Father Lapsley for his affiliation to Pixley ka Seme succeeds floop University, separating them the ANC, as well as for the sup- Josiah Gumede as ANC from UNISA, although the Central port of students after the 1976 president government retained tight control. student uprising. Father Lapsley Josiah Gumede was elected as Under the new dispensation, they then moved to Lesotho and lat- president-general of the ANC were supposed to produce a doc- er Harare, Zimbabwe, where he during its annual congress in ile black middle class, but soon be- served as a chaplain in the ANC. 1927, despite ANC criticism of his came hotbeds of political activism. 18 ANC Today THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

INTERNATIONAL DAYS

24 – 30 April 2021 Source: https://www.un.org and www.au.int

■ 24 April Independent Bookstore Day Independent bookstores are retail shops usually owned by individuals or families, and not owned by large corporations and are not chain-stores. They play an important role in ensuring access to a diverse range of books, because each owner tends to have their own preference of books stocked, as well as lo- cation. In South Africa, we have few bookstores, and even fewer independent bookstores. What is growing however, is the number of independent online bookstores.

■ 24 April International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace

and moments that matter to us most, helping improve the health of everyone, everywhere throughout life. It is a call to action against vaccine apartheid, being practiced by many rich countries in the context of a global COVID-19 pandemic, and their refusal to allow for waver of intellectual property rules of the WTO, which would allow developing countries to manufac- ture vaccines for the needs of their citizens. World Immunization Week – celebrated in the last week of April (24 to 30 April) – aims to promote the use of The values of multilateralism and international co- vaccines to protect people of all ages against dis- operation, which underpin the UN Charter is funda- ease. Immunization saves millions of lives every year mental to promote and support the three pillars of the and is widely recognized as one of the world’s most UN – peace and security, development and human successful and cost-effective health interventions. rights. Multilateralism and international cooperation means an international norms and rules based system, that is fair and promotes equality, and helps to ■ 25 April foster common and more just approaches to devel- International opment, global trade, climate change, geopolitical Delegates Day tensions, humanitarian and migratory crises. Delegates refer to all the country representatives in multilateral organisa- ■ 24–30 April tions that work tirelessly World Immunization Week to protect and advance With the theme ‘Vaccines bring us closer’, World national and common Immunization Week 2021 (April 24th-30th) will show global interests at the how vaccination connects us to the people, goals United Nations. 19 ANC Today THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

■ 26 April World Intellectual Property Day Creative minds the world over – architects, artists, artisans, designers, engineers, entrepreneurs, re- searchers, scientists and many others – come up with new ideas every day. From the arts to artificial intelligence, fashion to farming, renewable energy to retail, television to tourism, and virtual reality to videogames, to name just a few. Intellectual property protects the rights over ideas, and can include pat- ents, copyright, industrial design rights, trademarks, plant variety rights, trade dress, and geographical or- igins. Countries have intellectual property rights, and the global entity that governs it is called the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

■ 28 April ■ 25 April World day for Safety and Health at Work World Malaria Day This year, under the theme “Reaching the Zero WORLD DAY FOR SAFETY AND Malaria target”, the African Union, the WHO and HEALTH AT WORK partners will mark World Malaria Day by celebrating 28 APRIL the achievements of countries that are approaching – and achieving – malaria elimination. They provide inspiration for all nations that are working to stamp out this deadly disease and improve the health and livelihoods of their populations.

Workplaces – mining, manufacturing and so forth – can be very hazardous to health and safety, hence the emergence of unions fighting for health and safety standards, and laws being made to ensure workplace safety. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) started observing this day emphasis the pre- vention of accidents and diseases at work. In the era of COVID-19, this is very important so that workers don’t get infected at work, or infect customers and each other.

■ 30 April International Jazz Day International Jazz Day raises awareness in the inter- DRAW THE LINE AGAINST national community of the virtues of jazz as a force for peace, unity, dialogue and enhanced cooperation MALARIA among people, as well as an educational tool. 20 ANC Today

ANC National Executive Committee members, led by the Officials embarked on a door-to-door campaign in order to reach out to voters in the wards of the 14 by-elections that took place on 21 April 2021. Through the hard work of NEC members, leadership of provinces and regions, and the many volunteers, we successfully retained the 10 wards that we were contesting and won two wards from the opposition. These are some of the pictures. 21 ANC Today 22 ANC Today BOOK REVIEW By Fébé Potgieter-Gqubule

How you can Save the Planet by Hendrik van Hensbergen (2021, Puffin Books)

April was World Earth to plant over a 1000 trees around Day, with the theme Nairobi, Kenya. for 2021, Restore Our Earth. The COVID-19 Fourteen year old Aditya Mukarji global22 pandemic has shown that from Delhi, India watched on his indeed nature can start restor- computer how a turtle was stran- ing itself, when us humans were gled by eating a plastic straw, and huddled in our homes under started a campaign to convince lockdown, and as our factories, people to stop using single-use planes and cars stopped emitting plastics. He convinced an Indian pollution. cinema chain to stop selling plastic straws, and also made a list of At the forefront of global action alternatives to various every day for environmental change and es- single use items. pecially avoiding the calamity of climate change are Generation Z, All the stories are followed by con- the young people of today. They crete and simple actions that can are a generation that faces much be done in local communities, as uncertainty – with huge student well as a quiz on the topic. debts, with the scourge of unemployment, under employment and These young activists have a few graduate unemployment – for the ing is that he looks at different ac- things in common, a commitment first time in a century their gener- tions for change, through the sto- to change, understanding the im- ation may not be better off than ries of real young climate activists. portance of organising for change, their parents. and linking the local to the glob- Like Amelia who started getting al. Naomi Klein in an interview This has had a radicalising impact, involved when she was 15, taking in The Guardian (9 March 2021) as we’ve seen with the Anti-glo- part in an environmental compe- observed that “there are three balisation movements, the Arab tition at school, making bird feed fires in the world today: climate spring movements, Black Lives baths out of pencils. Doesn’t change, rising anger, fear and an- Matter, and across the world, the sound like much, but she believes ti-immigrant sentiment, and young environmental movements formed that “small changes add up to people. This third fire might save and driven by teens. make a big difference.” us all.”

Van Hensbergen was one such Then there is Lesein Mutunkei, teen and young person, who, an avid footballer and inspired by whilst working for the World Wild- Wangari Maathai, decided that for life Foundation, founded Action for every goal he scores, he would Conservation as an organisation plant a tree. He calls it Tree for for young people in the UK. His Goals, and it spread in his school book, How You Can Save the to other teams – basketball, rug- Planet, is but one of a few of the by, athletics – spreading to other genre, but what makes it interest- schools, and soon they managed 23 ANC Today X-WORD Earth Day 22 April 2021

Restore our Earth

ACROSS DOWN 2. Theme for 2021 Earth Day. 1. We can support Earth Day by ... 6. Number of years it takes for plastic to break down in a 3. Earth day action for environmental and climate education in landfill. schools and ... 8. Slogan for conscious consumers: Reuse, ... , ... 4. Number of people on streets during firs Earth Day event in 10. Song sang by Pope Francis and Bono on 50th Earth Day 1970. in 2020 ... 5. Millions downloaded the Indian Earth Day song called ... 11. 22 April is also the anniversary of which Soviet 7. First global climate change agreement signed in 1997 ... revolutionary? Protocol. 12. On Earth Day, we can show support through ... 9. Earth Day celebrated by over a ... people worldwide.

WORD BANK 450 Reduce Recycle billion 20 million Kyoto civic education cleanups planting trees Canta La Vita Dharti Ma Vladimir Lenin Restore our Earth