Anc Today Voice of the African National Congress

ANC TODAY VOICE OF THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

14 – 20 May 2021 Conversations with the President

South Africa waging a struggle that puts global solidarity to the test

WENTY years ago, South In response, representatives of massive opposition by govern- Africa was the site of vic- the pharmaceutical industry sued ment and civil society. tory in a lawsuit that pitted our government, arguing that such public good against private a move violated the Trade-Relat- As a country, we stood on princi- profit.T ed Aspects of Intellectual Property ple, arguing that access to life-sav- Rights (TRIPS). This is a compre- ing medication was fundamental- At the time, we were in the grip hensive multilateral agreement on ly a matter of human rights. The of the HIV/Aids pandemic, and intellectual property. case affirmed the power of trans- sought to enforce a law allowing national social solidarity. Sev- us to import and manufacture The case, dubbed ‘Big Pharma eral developing countries soon affordable generic antiretroviral vs Mandela’, drew widespread followed our lead. This included medication to treat people with international attention. The law- implementing an interpretation of HIV and save lives. suit was dropped in 2001 after the World Trade Organization’s

Closing remarks by We are embracing Dear Mr President ANC President to the the future! Beware of the 12 NEC meeting wedge-driver: 4 10 Unite for Duma Nokwe 2 ANC Today CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT

(WTO) Agreement on Trade-Re- ernment announced its support should be viewed as a global pub- lated Aspects of Intellectual Prop- for the proposal, which will give lic good. erty Rights (TRIPS) that allowed the current negotiations added them to import and manufacture momentum. They should be made available to generic antiretrovirals. all, not just to the highest bidders. The enforcement of intellectu- Years later, the world is in the grip al property rights is critical to re- A situation in which the popula- of another deadly pandemic in search and development and in- tions of advanced, rich countries the form of COVID-19. And once novation in the quest for human are safely inoculated while mil- again, South Africa is waging a progress. lions in poorer countries die in the struggle that puts global solidarity queue would be tantamount to to the test. But our position as South Africa is vaccine apartheid. that such a waiver is necessary at Alongside India, we have submit- this time. It is temporary and is in It will set a devastating precedent ted a proposal to the WTO for a direct response to an emergency. in our quest to realise a more temporary waiver of certain as- egalitarian world and our ability to pects of TRIPS to facilitate wider This is an unprecedented situa- handle future pandemics. access to technologies needed to tion. It requires that all intellectual produce vaccines and medicines. property, knowledge, technology Social responsibility for health is a The idea is to rapidly scale up and data related to COVID-19 recognised principle in the Univer- local production to ensure wider health technologies be put at the sal Declaration of Bioethics and access to affordable and effective disposal of all. Human Rights adopted by the in- vaccines. ternational community in 2005. If we as the international commu- The waiver proposal currently en- nity are truly committed to human It affirms that progress in science joys the support of more than 100 rights and the values of equality and technology must contribute countries. Last week the US gov- and non-discrimination, vaccines to justice, equity and the interests

President Nelson Mandela joining hands with HIV/Aids activists for antiretrovirals to be accessible to all 3 ANC Today CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT

If we as the international community are truly committed to human rights and the values

of equality and

non-discrimination, ‘ vaccines should‘ be viewed as a global public good.

of broader humanity. It notes that I call on all South Africans to sup- COVID-19 vaccines to save lives the benefits of scientific research port this effort, and in particular and proceed with the national re- should be shared with society as civil society organisations that covery. a whole and within the internation- played a leading role during the al community, in particular with HIV/Aids pandemic. Our commitment to putting hu- developing countries that face re- man lives first does not diminish source constraints. Civil society has a critical role our commitment to honour inter- in mobilising international sup- national trade agreements. Earlier this year, the UN’s edu- port for this cause, particularly cation, science and culture body through international cooperation It is about the promotion of health UNESCO called for vaccine equi- with like-minded organisations in as a public and social good. ty, noting that it was not just the developed countries. This is an right thing to do, but also the best issue that calls for greater public It is about affirming our com- way to control the pandemic, re- advocacy and awareness-raising. mitment to the advancement of store confidence and to reboot the equality and human rights, not global economy. As a nation, we must stand unit- just in our own country but around ed in our effort to manufacture the world. Currently, 55% of the existing vaccine manufacturing capacity is lo- FOR CITIZENS OVER 60 YEARS OF AGE cated in East Asia, 40% in Europe and North America, and less than 5% in Africa and South America. In the case of developing countries, much of this capacity is under-utilised.

South Africa is one of only five countries on the continent with vaccine production capacity. Al- though we have secured enough vaccine doses to reach ‘population immunity’, there will continue to be a need for vaccines. We are therefore preparing to bolster global vaccine manufacturing for COVID-19 and other major diseas- es. Existing facilities need to be repurposed and new capacity built. 4 ANC Today EDITORIAL The NEC meeting reaffirmed our shared commitment to the process of renewal and rebuilding

n Closing Remarks By ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa to the ANC NEC Meeting of 8 –10 May 2021

e have now come to the end of an important meeting for our Wmovement. Although we had to deal with very difficult issues, this meeting has reaffirmed our shared commitment to the process of renewal and rebuilding.

IMPLEMENTATION OF PRIORITIES FOR 2021 As we noted on the opening day, this NEC meeting coincides with the 25th anniversary of the adoption of our democratic Constitution by the Constitutional Assembly. President Ramaphosa delivering the Closing Address at the Virtual The meeting recalled that the val- NEC meeting held from 8–10 May 2021 ues and objectives enshrined in the Constitution find their genesis The NEC reaffirmed the ANC’s Secondly, to place our economy in the African Claims, Freedom commitment to advance the ob- on a path of renewal and recov- Charter and other seminal texts of jectives of the Constitution to build ery. our movement. a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Thirdly, to forge ahead with the The ANC therefore has a histori- Africa. fundamental renewal of the ANC cal responsibility to respect, up- in line with its core mandate and hold and advance our country’s The NEC therefore reiterated the values. Constitution. Members of the ANC foremost priorities of the organi- are expected to live according to sation for 2021: Fourthly, to strengthen devel- the values of social justice, re- opmental and participatory local spect for humanity, equality, self- Firstly, to act together with all government, and achieve a deci- less service and adherence to the South Africans to defeat the sive win the upcoming local gov- rule of law. COVID-19 pandemic. ernment elections. 5 ANC Today EDITORIAL

Fifthly, to build a better Africa and of our National Conference that a better world. land reform must take place in a manner that strengthens the agricultural sector, improves econom- DEFEATING COVID-19 ic growth and significantly tackles The NEC applauded the continued inequality, poverty and unemploy- dedication by those on the front- ment. line in the fight against COVID-19. It commended South Africans for The NEC welcomed the progress their continued adherence to pre- that has been made in the Parlia- vention measures, and in taking mentary process and urged gov- responsibility for their own health ernment to bolster resources and and the health of others. capacity to effect land reform and restitution at a faster pace. The meeting noted worrying signs We call on all adults of escalating infections in some Local Government remains a key areas, and the need for society to in South Africa to sphere of government, and in the remain vigilant to prevent a dev- context of the District Develop- astating third wave of infections. participate in the ment Model, we must continue

to strengthen its capacity to meet

The meeting welcomed the report mass vaccination its obligations to communities, on the second phase of the Alli- to deliver basic services, to en- ‘ ance’s COVID-19 campaign. This campaign that‘ will begin sure popular participation in de- campaign encourages adherence during May 2021. cision-making, and to drive local to the public health protocols, es- economic development. pecially wearing masks, social distancing and hand hygiene; and This should also enable empow- we call on all adults in South Afri- erment of cooperatives and SM- ca to participate in the mass vac- We will continue engaging other MEs, the empowerment of wom- cination campaign that will begin countries that are still reluctant en and youth, and the promotion during May 2021. to offer their support to a vaccine of skills development. patents waiver. We will also con- We reaffirmed positions adopted tinue to promote a pan-African ap- Given the critical role of this at previous meetings and by the proach to fighting the pandemic, sphere, the ANC has revised and Alliance that South Africa needs including access for the continent adopted guidelines for the selec- to seek vaccines and treatment to sufficient vaccines and capacity tion of candidates, which allows from all available sources, includ- to produce its own medical equip- for the best candidates to emerge ing BRICS partners, and that this ment, medicines and vaccines. with the support of local commu- should be undertaken in confor- nities. mity with our country’s laws and regulations. ACCELERATING We have stressed that all ANC TRANSFORMATION AND members and structures must We have welcomed the initiative BUILDING A CAPABLE STATE ensure that we are deliberate in by South Africa and India to fight selecting candidates with the nec- for a TRIPS waiver at the World On land reform and redistribution: essary capacities, experience and Trade Organisation so that there As part of its commitment to tackle skills. is equitable access to COVID vac- the historical injustice of land dis- cines. possession, the NEC had a dis- These candidates must be the cussion on the process of amend- embodiment of hard work, service This proposal is now supported ing Section 25 to explicitly make to the people and ethical conduct. by the World Health Organisation, provision for the expropriation of This NEC has stressed the impor- the African Union and more than land without compensation. tance of the principles of continu- 100 countries, including the Unit- ity, gender equality and the repre- ed States. This is informed by the direction sentation of young people. 6 ANC Today EDITORIAL

UNITY, RENEWAL AND Implementation of step-aside THE STATE OF THE ANC guidelines and procedures: The Special NEC meeting dis- During this meeting, we received cussed in detail the state and a report from the National Working cohesion of the organisation. Committee on the implementa- It noted with deep concern the tion of the resolution that all ANC continued factional divisions and members indicted for corruption divisive public pronouncements, and other serious crimes should which give the impression of an step aside or be temporarily sus- organisation in crisis. As this leadership, we have pended pending the finalisation of recommitted ourselves to the their case. Fundamental to these challenges is the critical process of imple- mandate of the 54th National The report indicated that, in line menting the mandate of the 54th with the decisions of the NEC National Conference to build uni- Conference to restore the meeting of 26-29 March 2021, ty of principle and unity in action, a number of ANC members had combined with the task of ensur- unity, renewal and integrity stepped aside and others had

ing organisational and societal re- been served with notices of sus- newal. of the ANC, despite the very pension. ‘ At the same time, the meeting difficult and complex‘ chal- These include our Secretary Gen- recognised that the work of the or- lenges of the current period. eral Ace Magashule and NEC ganisation is continuing. Contrary member Bongani Bongo. to impressions created in some public discourse, the work of the This meeting has confirmed the organisation is continuing. We have agreed to hold a retreat terms and conditions for elect- as soon as conditions permit to ed office bearers and public rep- Since the last NEC meeting, over address varying perspectives resentatives who have stepped 2,000 Branch general meetings among the leadership and de- aside or temporarily suspended. have been held, and regional con- velop a practical action plan to ferences have started. strengthen the process of unity These include that during the and renewal. step-aside period, such an indi- Local structures and regions are vidual may not: also continuing the campaigns Members of the NEC have ex- • carry out the duties and re- against COVID-19, as well as pressed concern about a concert- sponsibilities of their office; other organisational programmes ed and well-resourced campaign • represent the organisation and campaigning for by-elections. to sow division and confusion in publicly or in any other forum; As this leadership, we have re- the ANC, with the ultimate aim to • make public pronouncements committed ourselves to the man- destroy the movement as an in- on matters related to the or- date of the 54th National Confer- strument for progressive transfor- ganisation; ence to restore the unity, renewal mation and change. • engage in the mobilisation of and integrity of the ANC, despite ANC structures, any other or- the very difficult and complex It noted that this campaign is ac- ganisations or individuals; challenges of the current period. tively aided by a few individuals from within the NEC, through During the step-aside period, a In the spirit of criticism and self-crit- leaks, deviant public pronounce- public representative may not oc- icism, we reflected on the way we ments, protests and misinforma- cupy any executive office or oth- work and on our conduct as NEC tion on social media. er position of responsibility in the members. We agreed to adhere to legislative to which they belong. organisational protocols and prac- The NEC agreed to take urgent During the step-aside period, they tices, including collective leader- steps to investigate the leaks from will be entitled to remuneration ship, the promotion of unity and re- the NEC and any organised cam- and other benefits. newal, and strict adherence to the paign to subvert the movement ANC’s communications protocol. and to take appropriate action. The decision to step aside must 7 ANC Today EDITORIAL be reviewed by the relevant struc- to ANC structures and members Over 2,000 of these meetings ture of the organisation every six within a set timeframe. have been held and the process is months. ongoing. This is the first time that If he fails to do so, the ANC will the majority of BBGMs are held The NEC confirmed that in the institute disciplinary procedures in on the basis of the new member- light of the temporary suspension accordance with the ANC Consti- ship system. of the Secretary General, Deputy tution. Secretary General Jessie Duarte While there have been some will, in accordance with the ANC technical glitches, the system has Constitution, “carry out the func- Commission of Inquiry into helped to protect the integrity of tions entrusted to the Secretary State Capture the movement’s key organisation- General by the National Confer- This meeting also discussed the al processes. ence, the National General Coun- ANC’s submission to the Commis- cil, the NEC or the NWC…” sion of Inquiry into State Capture. The ANC reaffirms its support for Local Government Elections Members have condemned the the work of the Commission and Campaign unwarranted attacks on the Dep- its role in determining the nature We should welcome the tireless uty Secretary General and ANC and extent of state capture, and of work being done by our local gov- staff members at Luthuli House holding those responsible to ac- ernment elections teams at all lev- for carrying out decisions of the count. els on by-elections and prepara- NEC, NWC and Officials. tions for the forthcoming election While the ANC has come under campaign. These attacks have taken the great scrutiny at the Commission, form of threats, insults, unfound- we believe that this is a necessary While we must welcome the ad- ed allegations and misinforma- part of the national effort to end vances in some by-elections, tion. We have also noted with state capture in all its forms and where the ANC won wards from great concern death threats made ensure that it can never happen the opposition, we must also against the ANC NEC Coordinator again. recognise that there were areas Cde Andries Nel, and agreed that where the ANC lost some ground. this be reported to the relevant We know that citizens and com- authorities. Update on BBGMs, Regional munities expect decisive action to and Provincial Conferences renew the organisation and, crit- The NEC reaffirms its full confi- We must appreciate the work ically, to address the service de- dence in the Deputy Secretary by ANC structures to convene livery challenges afflicting many General, and supports her in car- Branch Biennial General Meet- localities. rying out her duties as per the ings – or BBGMs – where new ANC Constitution. branch leadership is elected. The ANC will continue to correct these weaknesses, and take mea- The NEC discussed the ‘letter of sures to prevent the current failures suspension’ written by the Secre- from carrying over into the future. tary General to the President, for which the Secretary General had This relates both to policy content, no authority or mandate from any implementation mechanisms and structure of the movement. the selection of appropriate community leaders and activists as The NEC agreed that such con- candidates in the ANC’s list. duct was completely unaccept- able and a flagrant violation of the rules, norms and values of the National General Council ANC. This meeting has noted the coun- trywide discussions on the Na- The NEC furthermore instructed The Guidelines for the selection tional General Council discussion the Officials to advise the Secre- of candidates are now available documents, and urged that these tary General to apologise publicly be consolidated at branch levels, 8 ANC Today EDITORIAL so that the contributions can be work towards building a vibrant North West processed for submission to na- ANC Youth League that champi- The NEC expressed concern re- tional structures. ons the interests of young people garding the ongoing instability in and as a preparatory school for the North West and the impact The NEC mandated the Secre- new cadres of the ANC. that this is having on organisation, tary General’s Office to prepare governance and service delivery. a comprehensive report to the It further noted processes to NEC, with proposals regarding strengthen the Progressive Youth It reiterated the decision of the the nature, form and timing of the Alliance in dealing with matters NEC meeting of 26-29 March NGC. This must take into account affecting young people, including 2021 that the Interim Provincial the limitations imposed by the financing of higher education. Committee must continue to dis- COVID-19 pandemic, the local charge the mandate given to it by government elections campaign, The NEC noted work in progress the NEC in accordance with the and the need to hold a National to ensure that all NYTT members powers that it has in terms of the Policy Conference before the next meet the age requirements of the ANC Constitution. National Conference in December ANC Youth League Constitution, 2022. which is that they should be below 35 years of age. Unity of MK veterans As we approach the 60th anniver- All NEC members and other lead- Free State sary of the founding of the peo- In light of the Ramakatsa vs ANC ers were urged to support a vi- ple’s army Umkhonto we Sizwe, judgement, we have agreed that brant and active League. we are deeply concerned at the priority must be given to pursuing slow progress in convening a uni- a political solution that will build fied conference of its veterans. a united and vibrant ANC in the Task Team on Mpumalanga Free State. Violence We have agreed to establish an The NEC noted and adopted the inclusive committee to start prepa- We need to intensify the efforts report of the National Dispute being led by Cde Kgalema Motlan- Resolution Committee led by the rations for an appropriate celebra- the to achieve a political solution. Deputy Secretary General into the tions of the 60th anniversary of To avoid a political vacuum in the violence at BBGMs that broke out Umkhonto we Sizwe in December province, we have therefore man- in the Ehlanzeni region in Mpuma- 2021. dated the NWC to establish an langa, Nkomazi sub-region wards inclusive interim structure to take 4 and 32. We support the Deputy President the province to an elective confer- and the Deputy Secretary Gener- ence in due course. The NEC noted the progress al in the processes they lead to made by the task team led by cde unite former MK combatants, and Zweli Mkhize to further look into call on the MK Military Veterans Integrity Commission these and previous incidents of Association and MK Council to Reports violence. cooperate. The NEC adopted a number of reports from the Integrity Com- It authorised the NEC deployees mission and recommendations to the province to refer matters of Addressing patriarchy and as presented and further noted serious misconduct to the Nation- misogyny where appeals have been lodged. al Disciplinary Committee, and to The ANC Women’s League has The NEC urged NWC and the Of- ensure cooperation with law en- raised the existence of gen- ficials to ensure speedy process- forcement agencies with respect der-based discrimination and mi- ing of the appeals. to criminal matters. sogyny in our structures on sever- al occasions. The NEC agreed that, except for ANCYL National Youth the Nkomazi sub-region, branch- We need to give further consid- Task Team es should resume BBGMs and eration to this matter so that we The NEC welcomed the report BGMs in May 2021, so as to do ensure all female comrades enjoy that the newly appointed National away with parallel structures and full participation in organisational Youth Task Team has started its branches. life. 9 ANC Today EDITORIAL

Support for the rights of LGBTQI persons The ANC reiterates our complete support for the rights of LGBTQI+ persons and condemns the apparent rise of incidents of hate crimes against this community. No-one has the right to discrim- inate against or attack anyone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

THE ALLIANCE The NEC welcomed the report on the Alliance Political Council held since the last NEC meeting.

It noted work in progress on the matter of non-trading holidays by the Department of Home Affairs Palestine the work of the ANC is proceeding and urged Officials to continue The ANC reaffirms our support despite our internal and external engagements with the Alliance for the people of Palestine in their challenges. on the issue of the public sector struggle for freedom and self-de- wage negotiations. termination. .We repeat our con- We need to be more pro-active in demnation, in the strongest possi- communicating these aspects of ble terms, of the unlawful evictions ANC life to counteract this false BUILDING A BETTER AFRICA of Palestinians from their homes impression of an ANC on the AND WORLD in Sheikh al Jarrah and the brutal verge of collapse. attacks on Palestinian protestors Mozambique at Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome We must remember that the trust The NEC supports the initiatives of the Rock. and support of the South African by SADC to assist Mozambique to people should never been taken resolve the conflict in the province We reiterate that the expansion of for granted. of Cabo Delgado and further en- settlements by Israel has already courages party to party engage- been condemned by the United For as long as we are divided as ment between the ANC and Fre- Nations and urge the internation- a leadership, for as long we fail to limo. al community to stop Israel from act against corruption, and unless expanding its illegal occupation of we put the needs of our people Sinn Fein Palestinian lands and property. first, we will struggle to restore the The NEC welcomed the process credibility of the ANC. to strengthen the bonds between Western Sahara the ANC and Sinn Fein and fur- The NEC reaffirms our commit- The people of South Africa are ther pledges to deepen commu- ment to strengthen and intensi- looking to this leadership to pro- nication, sharing and exchanging fy South Africa’s support for the vide direction, to decisively re- expertise on various issues. Saharawi people in their quest spond to the challenges in the for self-determination. We call on country, and to accelerate the rad- Cuba the progressive movement within ical economic and social transfor- The NEC resolutely reiterates its the continent and the international mation of our society. solidarity with Cuba and reaffirms community to accelerate its efforts its demand for an immediate end in this regard. This NEC meeting has provided to the blockade and the wanton a firm foundation for this work. aggression against Cuba. The Our task now is to build on the NEC calls for further strengthen- CONCLUSION progress we have made and fulfill ing of bilateral relations between It is apparent from all the reports the expectations that our people our countries. we received in this meeting that have. 10 ANC Today COMMENT & ANALYSIS

We are embracing the future!

n Remarks by the ANC Treasurer General, Paul Mashatile, on the Occasion of the Launch of the Progressive Business Forum’s Digital Platform

S some of you may re- access PBF programmes and ser- call, delegates at the 54th vices at their convenience, wher- National Conference of ever they are. the ANC resolved on the urgentA need for the modernisa- Through this launch the PBF, as a tion and professionalisation of the programme of the ANC, is propel- ANC. This was identified as crucial ling its systems on to the informa- in the ongoing endeavour to renew tion and communications technol- and revive our movement. ogy super highway!

At the beginning of this year, the We are embracing the future! National Executive Committee, in its January 8th Statement, directed Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that one of the tasks of our move- agility, ease of use, reliability and ment this year must be to contin- accessibility to all those who use ue to improve and modernise our our services and benefit from our core organisational systems, in- Comrade Paul Mashatile programmes. cluding our fundraising efforts. On behalf of the African National On this day as we launch this dig- our ANC merchandisers to access Congress, I take this opportuni- ital platform, we are carrying for- PBF programmes through an on- ty to thank all our partners in this ward the resolutions of the 54th line application. ground-breaking initiative. National Conference on the mod- ernisation and professionalisation This online application will enable Without all your support and coop- of the ANC. our subscribers and merchandis- eration we would not have reached ers to register on-line wherever this milestone. We are also giving effect to the they are, including on their mobile directive in the January 8th State- phones. As the ANC, we are delighted that, ment to focus on the modernisa- overall, our programme to improve tion of, among others, our fund- From here-on the filling of paper and modernise our core organisa- raising efforts. based applications and registra- tional systems such as the mem- tions will be a thing the past. bership system, branch function- In particular, through this launch, ality, our administration, elections we are creating a platform for our Equally, our subscribers and mer- campaign capacity, communica- valued PBF subscribers as well as chandisers will now also be able to tions, research, fundraising as 11 ANC Today COMMENT & ANALYSIS

well as monitoring and evaluation is proceeding relatively well.

In this regard, we have successfully launched our new electronic based membership system.

In addition, our communications machinery continues to rely heavi- ly on online platforms.

This is allowing our movement to better shape and influence the narrative as well as to improve the timing of the release of crucial information to the public and to our members. Sipho Mbele speaking at the launch Furthermore, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, our struc- chandisers and our PBF subscrib- a reliable platform for the contin- tures effectively used online plat- ers for their continued support of ued engagement and sharing of forms to engage with membership, our efforts to raise funds for the information between business and take up campaigns and to deepen movement. government. political education. A number of you have been with We look forward to working with From where we are now, there is us for many years as pillars of our all of you, especially now in the no turning back. The modernisa- fundraising efforts. We thank you era the Political Party Funding Act, tion of the ANC is firmly on track; heartily for this. which has brought with it major and gradually, step by step, the challenges and but also opportu- ANC is being renewed. We also trust that you will continue nities. to find value in the programmes, On this important occasion, we offerings and platforms of the PBF. We are however, confident that to- wish to also thank our ANC mer- The PBF stands ready to provide gether, we will navigate successfully through these unchartered waters.

As the ANC, we remain committed to transparency in the funding of political parties. We view this as an important safeguard of our hard worn freedom and democracy.

We are continuing to engage government with a view to ensuring that it plays its part in providing adequate funding to political parties as well as to all our country’s democratic processes.

Congratulations to the team that put together all of this work.

ANC merchandiser store in Tshwane Keep up the good work. 12 ANC Today COMMENT & ANALYSIS Beware of the wedge-driver: Unite for Duma Nokwe

Dear Mr President was rearrested for furthering the interests of a banned organisa- HIS week is the anniver- tion, the ANC. sary of one of the eminent sons of South Africa and He subsequently left South Africa the African National Con- at the orders of the ANC under- Tgress. Philemon Nokwe, known ground leadership and he crossed as Duma, was born of working into Bechuanaland alongside Mo- class parents in Evaton in the ses Kotane in 1963. In exile, he Vaal Triangle in 1927. Comrade was intensely involved with cam- Duma became acquainted with paigns to recruit support for the politics early in his life, as one of ANC and with attempts to affect his teachers in Johannesburg was an economic boycott against none other than Oliver Tambo, South Africa. Ill health forced him who was a leader of the African to resign his position as Secre- National Congress Youth League tary-General of the ANC in 1969 at the time. He studied for a Bach- but he remained active in over- elor of Science degree at the Uni- seas opposition politics and he versity of Fort Hare and obtained Comrade Pule Mabe advocated for the suspension of a teacher’s diploma a year later South Africa at the United Nations in 1950. In 1952, he was elected in 1974. He passed away at the chairperson of the Orlando branch ed to study law. He duly obtained age of 50 in January 1978 in Lu- of the Youth league and was sus- an LL.B degree at the University saka, Zambia. pended from teaching because of of Witwatersrand and qualified as his participation in the Defiance an advocate. The Group Areas Act Mr President, some of the lit- Campaign. (1950) prevented him from occu- tle-known facts about Comrade pying the same chambers as oth- Duma is that when ANC Presi- Comrade Duma accompanied er barristers because of his race. dent Albert Luthuli won the Nobel Walter Sisulu, the secretary-gen- The restrictions further prevented Peace Prize in 1961, he, Moses eral of the ANC on a five-month him from travelling freely to con- Kotane and Govan Mbeki gath- tour overseas wherein they visit- sult with his clients and prepare ered at the Durban flat of Phyllis ed Britain, the Netherlands, Isra- for cases. Comrade Duma was Naidoo to draft his acceptance el, the Soviet Union, China, Ro- one of the accused in the Treason speech. mania and Poland. In 1955, he Trial between 1956 and 1961 and was elected to the National Exec- was an unofficial member of the In an interview with the Sunday utive Committee of the ANC and defence team. Times in March 2014, President two years later he was elected its Thabo Mbeki credits Comrade Secretary General. This was de- Following the traumatic events af- Duma and his wife, Mme Tiny for spite his five-year banning orders ter the Sharpeville shootings on insisting that he learns to drive in 1954, which restricted him to March 1960, Comrade Duma was to assist him to do his work. Al- Johannesburg. The banning order detained for five months. He suc- though Comrade Thabo Mbeki hampered Comrade Duma’s pro- cessfully appealed a prison sen- confesses that he never obtained fessional career as he had decid- tence imposed upon him after he a driver’s licence because to get 13 ANC Today ‘

COMMENT & ANALYSIS

Be vigilant, comrades The enemy is vigilant. Beware of the wedge-driver, the man who ‘ creeps from ear to ear, carrying a bag full of wedges, driving them in between a group and another, a man who goes around creating splits and divisions. Beware the wedge driver, comrades. Watch his poisonous tongue.

one in South Africa, he had to get summarised by Oliver Tambo at we are mindful that our movement a “pass” (Reference Book), which his funeral service that while he faces a tumultuous period since he was determined to defy in the taught Comrade Duma at school, it came into power in 1994. Our aftermath of the Anti-Pass Cam- in politics, OR became a student role as the ANC since 1994 has paign. of Comrade Duma’s. evolved to include fighting for a united, non-racial and non-sex- In his honour, his bust and the Furthermore, comrades will be in- ist and prosperous South Africa. terested to learn that during their Duma Nokwe Chambers were un- veiled in 2009 in Sandton. Com- While this is not a smooth pro- overseas tour with Walter Sisulu, cess because in any revolution they attended the World Youth rade Duma’s life was one of self- lessness and sacrifice in the face there are bound to be setbacks Festival in Bucharest and visited and resistance, a united ANC is China to solicit arms without the of adversity and the hostility of the apartheid juggernaut. He laid his the only vehicle to deliver on this permission of the ANC. He, Si- life on the line to lay the foundation mandate. As our organisation em- sulu and Nelson Mandela were for the freedoms we enjoy today. barks on a process of renewal, the threatened with dismissal in the wedge-drivers are hard at work in late 1940s after Mandela accused Mr President, we have made pursuit of their nefarious agenda Luthuli of being a coward. strides since those days when of division. Comrade Duma was denied ac- Mr President, as the first black cess to the chambers because he When mediating on infightings advocate to be admitted to the was black. The transformation of within the ANC, OR frequently Transvaal Supreme Court, Com- the judiciary is a work in progress warned against the wedge-driv- rade Duma was a staunch advo- but we are pleased that today’s er, “who creeps from ear to ear, cate of human rights. He used his generation of legal minds has carrying a bag full of wedges, knowledge of the law as an in- been freed of the hurdles faced driving them in between you strument to fight for human rights, by Comrade Duma and his gen- and the next man, between a following on the footsteps of Dr eration. While the legal profession group and another, a man who Pixley Isaka Seme, Mandela and still has some way to go, we have goes around creating splits and Tambo among others. seen and we are proud of the performance of many black and divisions.” He represented a generation of female legal practitioners and we Yours sincerely the legal fraternity who used the urge the profession to work hard- law to push the boundaries of er to promote transformation. what constituted human rights. Pule Mabe Mr President, as we honour this National Spokesperson and Head of the His outstanding abilities were best stalwart of our liberation struggle, Department of Information and Publicity 14 ANC Today PERSPECTIVE

TRIBUTE TO COMRADE THEMBI SHANGE NOBADULA As a younger generation, to comrades of her generation and her caliber, our debt is immeasurable

n By Z. Pallo Jordan

In the late 1940s, Miss Thembi ism and all the other institutions of Mandela. Shange met and married, Fikile colonialism after the war ended. Nobadula, the grandson of a mi- Three years after marking victory The Nobadulas owned a valuable grant from the Eastern Cape, who over Hitler in Europe, the Afrikan- economic asset, a hall, which had come to the Rand to work as er National Party, led by Hitler’s could serve as a venue for meet- a clerk in the goldmines near Be- disciples, won the general elec- ings and other gatherings. During noni. The young couple settled tions with a slim majority among the short inter-regnum between in Benoni, hoping for a peaceful the White voters of South Africa. the Peace at Vereeniging and the family life. 1913 Native’s Land Act, the No- Both Thembi Shange Nobadu- badula family had acquired prop- The Second World War had la and her husband, Fikile, were erty in Benoni. Fikile’s father had changed the world, but had also card-carrying members of the added to the property portfolio by radically transformed South Afri- ANC branch in Benoni. As activ- constructing the hall, which bore ca, especially the Rand. Africans ists they were called upon by their the family name. arrived on the Rand in their thou- movement to respond to the on- sands in search of work and were slaught unleashed by the National As long-standing and respected quickly swept up by a growing Party after its electoral victory. residents of Benoni they had use- secondary industry sector. When ful networks, that stretched be- Thembi and her young husband In the same branch of the ANC yond the Rand into Natal, where got married, the African popula- was a brilliant teacher, who later the Shange family originally came tion of the Rand exceeded all the became a lawyer, named Oliver from; and into the Cape, where others. Tambo. In 1950 he left the teach- Fikile’s family roots were. ing profession and began a law Unlike the rest of the world, White- practice in central Johannesburg Thembi Shange Nobadula dis- ruled South Africa entrenched rac- in 1952 in partnership with Nelson tinguished herself as an activist 15 ANC Today PERSPECTIVE

and member of the ANC Wom- en’s League in Benoni. She was amongst the thousands of par- ticipants in the 1956 Women’s March on Pretoria, led by Lilian Ngoyi and Helen Joseph. By that time, both she and her husband As a younger generation, to had acquired political profiles that earned them regular Special Branch raids. For the couple, the crunch came in the immediate af- comrades of her generation termath of Sharpeville, when the ANC was banned.

The apartheid regime had not and her caliber, our debt is anticipated the response of the people to the Anti-Pass Cam- paign. After the initial massacre on 21st March 1960, South Africa immeasurable descended into a crisis. On 28th March the country’s urban areas were brought to a standstill by a general strike of African workers, protesting the massacre of the previous Monday. On 30th March, 30 thousand (30,000) Cape Town township dwellers marched on Parliament. The following day, 31st March, the Whites-only Par- remained behind in Tanzania with onto until her retirement. A remu- liament declared a State of Emer- Nthombiso, their eldest, and her nerative job kept the wolf from the gency and the Security Police brother Jerry Fana. The marriage door so that she could engage in began arresting political activists did not survive the long separa- her principal sphere of activity in early that morning. tion that lasted close to six years. the ANC’s structures in London. Within a matter of years after her Thembi, her husband, Fikile, their Working in the ANC mission in arrival, she was elected Chair of four children and Thembi’s broth- Tanzania, Thembi Nobadula was the ANC Women’s League in the er, Jerry Fana Shange, left South one of the ANC militants present UK. Africa secretly a few days later, at the inception of the Pan African crossing into what was then “Be- Women’s Organisation (PAWO), Working closely with Comrades chuanaland“ to evade arrest. Thus which set up its headquarters in Adelaide Joseph, Adelaide Tam- began her life as a political exile. Algiers in 1963. She seized the bo, Zanele Mbeki, Hilda Bern- From Botswana they made their opportunity, denied her in South stein, Mary Turok and others, they way to Tanzania, together with a Africa, to acquire a number of made the branch in London an party of fellow refugees. secretarial skills including office effective mobiliser of international management. She was able to solidarity. They built firm links with Exile was rough on all families that move to London in 1965. the emergent Women’s Liberation were affected, some more brutal- Movement in the UK; with Cypriot ly than others. Owing to circum- As a divorcee, Thembi assumed Women; the Palestinian women, stances well beyond their con- responsibility for her children, giv- and of course, through PAWO, the trol, Sis Thembi’s family was split ing them a stable home, despite other Southern African liberation up as a result of exile. Fikile was their circumstances. The skills she movements. able to secure passage to Lon- had acquired in Dar-es-salaam don for himself, his two younger enabled her to find employment at The times were difficult and the daughters and their son. Thembi the British Council, a job she held effectiveness of the regime’s re- 16 ANC Today PERSPECTIVE

the social wage pensioners in the UK are entitled to in Britain – from free London Transport passes, discounted cinema, theatre tick- ets, free access to museums – living out your last years at home looked less attractive. A number of such exiles chose to come back to the UK; others chose to stay in the US, in Sweden, Norway and other countries in the West.

Though far from home, Sis Them- bi has always kept her oar in South African waters, She attended the two ANC elective conferences as a delegate from the UK; has par- 1956 Women’s March... Mama Thembi was amongst the thousands of ticipated enthusiastically in the women who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria anniversaries of the Women’s An- ti-Pass Campaign and has contin- pression had imposed an un-nat- don in which they both lived. The ued to contribute to the political ural silence on the country, but as event took place at Finsbury Park life and activities of the movement the decade of the 1970s matured, and the African-American militant, here in the UK. the workers’ strikes in the early Angela Davis was the keynote seventies, followed by the Soweto speaker. What can one say about a person Uprising in 1976 indicated that the who seems to have seen it all? movement was being revived. The release of political prisoners at the end of that decade, followed Sis Thembi was of the generation Under the best of circumstances, by the release of Nelson Mandela that transformed the ANC from an raising a family in exile is chal- on February 11th was the signal organisation of loyal petitioners lenging. Sis Thembi had her chal- that victory was within reach. into a fighting mass movement lenges too, but her daughters all during the 1950s. Theirs was the found likeable husbands and have The prospect of returning home generation that took the decision given her nine grandchildren, and was very attractive to most of the to wage the armed struggle. She a few great grandchildren. To the exiles. Sis Thembi was among was more fortunate than many tribulations of exile were add- the earliest wave of returnees. of her colleagues and contempo- ed the loss of her brother Jerry Though efforts had been made raries, because she was able to Fana, who died in a car accident to assist the reintegration of the witness the defeat of the racist in Tanzania. In quick succession, exiles, one can, with the benefit regime and the birth of democra- during 2013, she lost her eldest, of hindsight, say that those provi- cy. We can all complement her on then her youngest daughter. She sions were inadequate! a life well-lived, a life lived in the has borne these reverses bravely struggle, and a life lived for the though they visibly did affect her. Like many a returnee, especial- struggle. ly those who had lived in social The 1980s were probably the democratic environments, what Our debt to her, as a younger most fulfilling years for all the ex- they found back home was unat- generation, to comrades of her iles. Not only was the liberation tractive, if not a little discomforting. generation and her caliber, is im- movement clearly on the offen- People like Sis Thembi, who had measurable. For that, we will al- sive, but the initiative had visibly been in the UK for two decades, ways honour her and cherish her passed to us. In August 1986, working and earning a living, the memory. working with Mrs Adelaide Tambo, social benefits South Africa pro- she helped organize a celebration vided are a pittance compared Lala ngoxolo MaDumakude! of the Women’s March on the 9th to what they could receive in the Ulifezile igqatso! Hamba in Haringey, the borough of Lon- UK! Add to that other elements of Kahle Cde Thembi Nobadula! 17 ANC Today PERSPECTIVE

Comrade Thembi Nobadula was that Rock!

n By David Kenvyn, Scotland Anti-Apartheid Movement

HEMBI Nobadula was one of the stalwarts of the Af- rican National Congress (ANC) throughout the 1950s.T She was one of those who organised and led the Women’s March on Pretoria in 1956, when 20,000 women went to the Union Buildings to protest that the Pass Laws were being extended to women. Johannes Strijdom, the Prime Minister, made sure that he was not in Pretoria on 9th August 1956 Women’s March 1956, so that he did not have to meet the women. A song was com- In 1986, the ANC Women’s and Thembi had played a consid- posed: “When you have struck the League, led by Adelaide Tambo erable part in organising it. women, you have struck a rock, and Thembi Nobadula, decided you will be crushed”. Thembi was to organise a celebration of the A great soul has passed. She was that rock. 30th anniversary of the Women’s our friend, our comrade and an March. Haringey NALGO, the inspiration to all of us. There is In 1962, she came to London to London Anti-Apartheid Commit- work still to be done on the trans- help in the work of establishing the tee and the Metropolitan District formation of South Africa. It will re- now banned ANC in exile, where of NALGO stepped up to help. A quire many of us to step forward, she lived near to Adelaide and huge event was organised in Lon- to take up her spear and to contin- Oliver Tambo. Over the next 32 don’s Finsbury Park with Angela ue the work. years, she was a constant pres- Davis as the keynote speaker. ence at both ANC and Anti-Apart- Adelaide Tambo sat on one side Comrade Thembi, Hamba Kah- heid Movement (AAM) meetings, of her and Thembi Nobadula on le! A hero of our heroes. never faltering in her resistance to the other. To the delight of both the apartheid regime. She was an Cde Adelaide and Cde Thembi, Let us praise the women. inspiration to everyone who came Angela Davis excoriated Marga- into contact with her. ret Thatcher. It was a great day, Malibongwe! 18 ANC Today PERSPECTIVE

Dr TT Cholo – The voice of reason in the post-apartheid dispensation

n By Shalate Davhana and Malesela Maubane

S South Africa celebrates mensely to the building of a South twenty-seven years of Africa for all, it is up to us to safe- freedom from racial op- guard these gains of freedom. pression this year, many anti-apartheidA struggle stalwarts As we reflect on the history of who delivered democracy through trade unions in South Africa, Dr their blood and sweat should be Cholo’s name is engraved as one celebrated more visibly. The sac- of the founding members of the rifices of various freedom fighters South African Congress of Trade towards the attainment of political Unions (SACTU) in 1955. Signifi- independence should continue to cantly, the federation was estab- be a catalyst towards a better life lished three months before the for all compatriots. Congress of the people (COP) adopted the Freedom Charter in Amidst the political turmoil and in- Kliptown, Soweto. Having mi- stability which characterised the grated to Gauteng from an isolat- 1900s, Dr Tlou Theophilus Cholo ed rural community in pursuit for immersed himself in the struggle greener pastures at 19 years old, and as a labour activist, where he Comrade TT Cholo Cholo defied being subjected to stood firmly for the emancipation inhumane working conditions and of marginalised citizens. Upon meagre wages, which forced him leaving his Limpopo hometown na, where he honed his political, to resign merely a week in his first in Mmakala village, Ga-Matlala a military and trade unionism skills. job at a dry cleaner in downtown thaba for Johannesburg in 1945, Jo’burg. he became actively involved in Reading through various literature trade union activism and as an about Dr TT Cholo’s attainments, His detestation of human injus- uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) com- one has an impression of a man tice influenced him to confront the batant. The Matlala area also has content with his role in the strug- apartheid regime head-on, and a history of being a hotspot for po- gle for the attainment of freedom, fatefully landing him in a cell at the litical activism. especially towards equal access Robben Island prison, an incar- to education, women empow- ceration that lasted for 16 years. His dedication to the struggle ap- erment, and fair distribution of Dr Cholo’s struggle footprints can parently saw him selected to got economic gains to the benefit of be traced to Russia, China, Cuba, to Moscow, in the then Unionist the country’s majority population. Tanzania, eSwatini, Botswana Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) The current Soshanguve resident and Zambia amongst others. Re- and The People’s Republic of Chi- and his generation contributed im- corded as a dedicated MK cadre, it 19 ANC Today PERSPECTIVE was not surprising that he attend- ly about the scourge of corruption, heritage as defined by the United ed the 1969 Morogoro conference which he says overshadows any Nations Educational, Scientific as a delegate of the then armed development efforts and is fuel- and Cultural Organization (UNE- wing of the ruling party. The abili- ling a negative narrative about the SCO) and are worth preserving, ty to organise resulted in the ANC government whilst undermining not only for the ANC but for South deploying him to the Northern the country’s socio-economic de- Africa at large. Province, now Limpopo in 1993, velopment efforts. where he became the Provincial The motto for the defunct ‘Lennes Secretary of the MK Military Vet- In 2018 the Tshwane University primary school’, Ntate Cholo’s erans’ Association. of Technology (TUT) conferred alma mater in Mmakala village, an honorary doctorate (public “Tirišano ke maatla” in the Sepedi Dr Tlou Cholo concedes that the management) on the former trade language, can be loosely translat- African National Congress (ANC) unionist and struggle stalwart ed to “there is power in working transition from a liberation move- whilst the Presidency awarded together” and it rings true in rela- ment to a governing party had its him the Order of Luthuli in Silver tion to efforts to appropriately hon- own hiccups since the leadership (2009) for his selfless sacrifice our this brave struggle icon. had no previous experience of in the struggle against apartheid governing a state. In terms of the and exceptional leadership in the The oppressed South African exchange of power in 1994, Cholo trade union movement. majority looked to Cholo and his laments that the new administra- comrades for their political eman- tion had to start with a clean slate, It is evident that Cholo’s contribu- cipation which ushered in a demo- with no money, as the Nationalist tion to a democratic South Africa cratic dispensation in 1994. Sure- government seemingly relocated is one that cannot be confined to ly, as the country confronts the funds offshore prior to relinquish- sporadic local celebrations. Word coronavirus (COVID-19) pandem- ing power. Considering these con- that the Dr TT Cholo Foundation ic and looks at ways to reignite the ditions, the veteran believes that and other stakeholders have set economy, counsel of these veter- they did a sterling job during the plans in motion to meaningfully ans should still be valuable. initial stages of transition wherein honour the struggle icon through South Africa was ushered into a various legacy projects, including Davhana and Maubane are Tshwane democratic state. an annual lecture, are commend- University of Technology (TUT) alumni able. Ntate Cholo and his com- and residents of Gauteng and Limpo- The Ga-Matlala a Thaba-born lib- rades, for their role in the libera- po, Dr TT Cholo’s province of current eration struggle icon speaks stern- tion struggle, are part of cultural residence and birth respectively.

ANC stalwart and veteran, Cde Tlou Cholo with the last surviving members of the Luthuli Detachment 20 ANC Today Q&A

Q&A IN THE SPOTLIGHT: n By Leo Ndabambi Tsakani Mashele

1. Cde Tsakani, please tell us tell them about her. about yourself and what force prepared you to be who you As a younger generation, we can are today? learn a lot from comrades such My name is Tsakani Mashele. I am as Mam Charlotte Maxeke and from Shiluvana (Tzaneen, Limpo- Mhani Joyce Mashamba in terms po). I am a nursing Auxiliary who of: started working at Shiluvana Life • Dedication to fighting for the Health Care Centre since 2003 to rights and the struggle of date. As a mother of two kids boy black women. and a girl, I am a hard worker and • Leaders of society should a strong woman who is able to learn that Unity is power; and handle challenges in life. • As leaders of society, we should rise above their per- 2. What do you think leaders of sonal needs and interest. society should learn from women leaders who have passed on, especially the likes of Mam 3. What are the most outstand- Charlotte Maxeke and Mhani ing leadership qualities that Joyce Mashamba, taking into Tsakani Mashele make you a better leader? account that 2021 has been Auxillary Nurse and Limpopo • I am a person of great Pa- declared the “Year of Unity, Re- NEHAWU Nursing Co-ordinator tience newal and Reconstruction, in for Private Hospitals • I am a self motivated person. the Year of Charlotte Maxeke”? I can described the late Joyce • I am goal driven. Mashamba as a brave person and the South African Communist • I believe in collectivism. who sacrificed her family for the Party. sake of the ANC and liberation of the country. She was good at dis- Mashamba was one of the longest 4. As a mother and activist, tinguishing between wrong and serving MEC’s and at the time of how can we fight this -sec right. her death had been the Limpopo ond pandemic of GBVF and MEC for Agriculture and Rural de- LGBTQIA+? The late Mhani Joyce served in velopment. The other portfolios We can fight the pandemic by various capacities in the provin- she held ranged from Education, teaching both male and female cial government also as a Mem- sports Arts and culture,safety and and the entire society about the ber of Parliament. She was an security and liaison and social de- ills of violence and also get the “accomplished political commis- velopment. perpetrators of this act of vio- sar and an educator” that made lence to account for their actions many personal sacrifices for the Lastly Mhani Joyce build a library and rehabilitate them. Children liberation struggle, having being where she come from so that the should be taught at a young age a member of the African National young generation can know who about gender and that no gender Congress, ANC Women’s League Joyce Mashamba was when we is above another. 21 ANC Today Q&A

5. What moment in your life 7. What would you say about This past year especially from stands out from the rest as the vaccines that have now re- May 2020 to May 2021, many your proudest so far? sumed this month in light of events have unfolded and nurses I am proud where I am today be- International Nurse’s Day that have proven to be the cornerstone cause I can see that I am a leader was observed? in the battle against COVID-19. in the work place, as well as in the The vaccine will help society to We also call on all nurses to fight community, the province and at slow down infections. However together to gain long term right for school. I can feel that I am born to the rollout process seems much the profession. be a leader to represent the wom- slower than expected. Interna- en in the community. I am who I tional nurse’s day commemorates am today because of Nehawu the birthday of Florence Nightin- 8. What is your motto? (Elwel Maponya branch ) gale the first professional nurse is To do my best in the commu- observed on 12 May. The theme nity, helping those who are in this year is “Nurses: A voice to need. Put my best effort into 6. As an Auxiliary Nurse, what lead. A vision for future health everything. Define what you would you say about the ad- care.” value and I have given myself herence to COVID-19 regula- moral parameters by simplify- tions especially from the most Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 ing the decision making pro- vulnerable and poorest in the pandemic nurses across the re- cess in the community. I am a villages to the more astute and gion have emerged as the heroes humble person, and a good lis- urbanised? of an unprecedented crisis and tener. Covid-19 has shown us the gap many have spoken of their fight in that exist in society. Those who the frontline against the pandem- Before making decisions, con- are poor and living in rural areas ic as biggest challenge they have sult with the relevant persons. are second and last to everything. faced in their careers, defending Exercise consistency and open The following has made it difficult our people and the community. mindedness. to put up with some of the regulations and what needs to be done when one has tested positive: • Lack of water for washing hands. • Unavailability and access to proper sanitizers • Lack of education and awareness. • Lack of housing for self quar- antine incase of a positive case. • Lack of medication to treat positive cases. 22 ANC Today THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

15–21 May 2021 Sources: SA History Online and O’Malley Archives

■ 15 May 1885 age by his father, and turned pro- ■ 16 May 1977 Parliament opens for the fessional in 1979. Under the guid- Mme Winnie Madikizela- first time in Cape Town ance of Theo Mthembu, Matlala Mandela banished to The parliamentary building at won his first professional victo- Brandfort the top of Adderley Street, Cape ry against Fraser Plaatjie in Port Town, is occupied for the first time. Elizabeth in 1980. Matlala went on This up to today remains the seat to become the South African Fly- of the Parliament of the Republic weight Champion, and later won of South Africa. the International Boxing Associa- tion (IBA) Flyweight title in 1997.

■ 15 May 1889 Founder of Sofasonke ■ 15 May 2004 Party born SA wins bid to host 2010 James Sofasonke (meaning ‘We Soccer World Cup shall all die’) Mpanza, founder of the Sofasonke Party and a champion for better housing for Johannesburg’s Blacks, is born in Georgedale, today part of Cato Ridge. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela banished to Brandfort, Free State for her political activism by the ■ 15 May 1993 apartheid government for nine Baby Jake crowned World years. She was dumped uncer- Boxing Champion emoniously in Brandfort with her daughter Zinzi, and throughout the period they continued to suffer South Africa wins the bid to host harassment. Mme Winnie was not the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, allowed to officially pursue her ca- the first African country to host this reer as a social worker. global event.

■ 17 May 1900 ■ 16 May 1976 Esther Franks, first James Ranisi Jolobe ophthalmic surgeon born passed on Esther Franks, physician and first On 16 May 1976, South African woman ophthalmic surgeon to poet, author and a clergyman practise in SA, was born in Zurich, James Ranisi Jolobe passed on Switzerland. Her parents emi- in Tsolo, Transkei. He made a grated from Russia via England contribution to South African arts and Switzerland and came to SA and culture through poetry. Born shortly after her birth. She was a in Transkei, Jolobe was best pioneer in the fight against blind- On 15 May 1993, Jacob “Baby known for his collection of poems, ness. In 1971 she was adjudged Jake” Matlala, won the World Umyezo (1936). He also played a Woman of the Year by the read- Boxing Organisation (WBO) world major role in the compilation and ers of The Star for her outstand- champion title. Matlala had been translation of the English-Xho- ing work in restoring sight to thou- introduced to boxing at a young sa-Afrikaans dictionary. sands of rural Africans. 23 ANC Today THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

■ 17 May 1936 and had initially pursued singing. in 1961. A Rivonia trialist, he was Sugar magnet Hulett born However her mother’s lack of con- sentenced to life imprisonment Sir James Liege Hulett, Natal fidence in her voice discouraged in 1964, and served on Robben planter, industrialist and politician, her from pursuing singing as a Island till his release in 1989. Af- was born in England and came to career. Laubster died on 17 May ter the unbanning of the ANC he South Africa in 1857 at the age of 1973. chaired the Interim Leadership 19. Hulett pioneered■ the country’s Core to rebuild the ANC, and was sugar industry when he found- elected as Deputy President at its ed the Hulett Company in 1892, ■ 17 May 1989 1991 Durban Conference, a posi- which had extensive cane plan- ISCOR privatised tion he held until the 1994 Confer- tations and erected the first sugar The Conversion of Iscor Bill is ence, when he retired. Walter Si- mill in 1903. He was also the first passed by the apartheid govern- sulu, according to ES Reddy, was person in Natal to cultivate tea ment, allowing for the privatization “the organisational genius of the successfully. He personally raised of ISCOR. The steel company ANC, …He was the moving spirit money to extend the railway line was founded in 1928 as a state behind all the great campaigns in between Verulam and Stanger, owned company. After privatiza- the 1950’s, as well as the trans- which became the first and only tion in 1989, it went through dif- formation of the ANC in 1960-61 privately owned line in Natal. He ferent ownership structures, until for underground work and armed represented Victoria in the Natal it changed hands to AcelorMittal struggle.” Sisulu passed away in legislative council for twenty-two South Africa. 2003. years. In 1921, Hulett founded Kearsney College, a prestigious boys’ school in Stanger, on the ■ 18 May 1912 ■ 18 May 1899 Natal north coast. Today, the Walter Sisulu born Conference lays Huletts Sugar Company is called foundation for ICC Tongaat-Hulett, after it merged An International peace confer- with the Tongaat sugar company, ence is convened at The Hague and is still one of the major sugar in the Netherlands. It adopts con- groups in the country. ventions on warfare and creates the Permanent Court of Arbitra- tion, now the UN International ■ 17 May 1937 Court of Justice (ICC). The case Maggie Laubscher, against South Africa about the ad- painter passed on ministration of South West Africa Born on 14 April 1886 in a wheat (now Namibia) was heard in this farm near Malmesbury, Ma- court. ria Magdalena Laubster was a painter and printmaker. Her ex- pressionistic work was initially ■ 19 May 1930 shunned upon by critics, but has Walter Ulyati Sisulu is born in the White Women gain Right since gained wide acceptance. Engcobo area in Eastern Cape. to Vote Laubster studied art in Cape Sisulu worked as a miner, baker’s White women won the right to vote Town for two months under Ed- assistant, domestic helper and fac- in South Africa, after decades of ward Roworth and later in London tory hand and was an active trade campaigning by suffragettes from at the Slade School, and also unionist before joining the ANC in the Women’s Christian Temper- trained under Schmidt-Rottluff, in 1940. He was one of the founders ance Union formed in 1899 for Berlin, Germany. She was elected of the ANC Youth League, elect- this purpose. to the South African Society of Art- ed as its first treasurer in 1944. ists (SASA) in recognition of her He went on to become secretary talent. Laubster and Irma Stern general of the ANC from 1949 to ■ 20 May 1910 are two of the most prolific wom- 1954, as leader of the Defiance Hailey’s Comet an painters in South Africa, intro- campaign and the adoption of the Hailey’s Comet passes 22 km ducing expressionism to South Freedom Charter (1955), and was from Earth, the closest in history. Africa. Laubster was also a singer a founder of Umkhonto we Sizwe Comets are space snowballs of 24 ANC Today THIS WEEK IN HISTORY frozen gases, rock and dust that was hosted by the United Nations the Black Rhinoceros. Govern- circle in a fixed pattern around the (UN) and the Organisation of Af- ments all over the world agreed Sun. When frozen, they are the rican Unity (OAU) at UNESCO to the terms of this convention, size of a small town. House in Paris, France. The UN including the Union of South Afri- had been vocal about the apart- ca, Belgium, the United Kingdom heid policy since the early 1950s. of Great Britain and Northern Ire- ■ 20 May 1935 On 1 April 1960, the UN Security land, Egypt, Spain, France, Italy, Ethiopia calls on UN for Council, in its first action on South Portugal, and the Anglo-Egyptian support against Italian Africa, adopted Resolution 134 Sudan. This convention was put Invasion condemning the policies and ac- into force on 14 January 1936, the tions of the South African govern- same year that the conference ment in the wake of the Sharpe- was held in London. ville massacre, where nearly 70 peaceful protesters were killed by the police on 21 March. The Secu- ■ 21 May 1946 rity Council called upon the gov- Women Organises Food ernment to abandon its policies of Strikes apartheid and racial discrimination.

■ 21 May 1936 Conference on Protection A special meeting of the League of the African elephant of Nations, the forerunner of the and rhinoceros United Nations is called for by Ab- yssinia (now Ethiopia), request- As a (albeit divided) participant ing aid in defence against Italian and contributor in the Second aggression. Ethiopians, led by World War, South Africa faced reigning Emperor Haile Selassie severe food shortages during the resisted this invasion of Mussoli- 1940s, with the poor especial- ni’s forces during what is known ly vulnerable, severely affected. as the Second Italo-Ethiopian Wholesalers and others hoard- War (1935-1940). Selassie was ed food and sold it at exorbitant named Time magazine Man of the On this day in history, an interna- prices. A non-racial women’s or- Year in 1935 for leading this resis- tional conference was held to im- ganisation formed in 1946, the tance. This was the second inva- plement legislation to protect the Cape Town Women’s Food Com- sion by Italy, following their failed African elephant and rhinoceros. mittee (CTWFC), organised food attempt in the First Italo-Ethiopian This is because due to their prized queues so that everybody could War (1895-1896) when Italy was ivory tusks and horns, which were get food. Founders and leaders of defeated at the Battle of Adwa by valuable trade commodities, Afri- the CTWFC included Katie White, Ethiopian forces led by Emperor can elephant and rhinoceros pop- Dora Tamana, G. Anthony, Hettie Menelik II. In the Battle of Adwa, ulations were on the decline. Al- McLeod and Cissie Gool. On 21 Menelik II and his wife, Empress though specific information about May 1946 the women stormed Taytu Betul, proved the moral im- this particular conference is dif- warehouses and other places perative in the struggle of Ethiopia ficult to find, records show three where food were hoarded to de- against colonialism. years earlier the “Convention Rel- mand that they be released to ative to the Preservation of Fauna the general population. These and Flora in their Natural State protests were known as the ‘Rice ■ 20 May 1981 (1933)” was put forward. This Strikes’. The Women’s Food UN and OAU take a stand convention promulgated the pro- Committee mobilised women un- against Apartheid policy tection of certain animal species, der the slogan “Today we fight An International Conference on which included the African Ele- for food, tomorrow for the vote, Sanctions against South Africa phant, the White Rhinoceros and and then freedom for all.” 25 ANC Today THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

■ 21 May 1884 INTERNATIONAL DAYS King Dinizulu rises to the Throne HRM King Dinizulu succeeds his 15–21 May 2021 father, Cetswayo as monarch of Source: https://www.un.org and http://www.dirco.gov.za/events the Zulu Kingdom, at the age of 15 years. ■ 15 May International Day of Families ■ 21 May 1978 Families – in all their diversities – form the basic units and building Moses Kotane passed on blocks of most societies, responsible for raising and socialising children. However, trends such as the changing nature of work, education, urban- isation, migration as well as new technologies and climate change have impacted on families. Following from the theme of last year, Internation- al Family day in 2021 focuses on families and social change.

■ 16 May International Day of Living To- gether in Peace Living together in peace is about ac- cepting differences, Moses Kotane, South African social justice, work- Communist Party and ANC stal- ing for the common wart passed away in Moscow, good, and the ability Russia where he was hospital- to listen to, recognise, respect and appreciate others. The day focuses ised after a long illness he suf- global attention on the ongoing need to promote and work for peace, fered since 1968. In 1931 Kotane tolerance, inclusion, peaceful resolution to conflict and solidarity. became an active member of the South African Communist Par- ty before it was banned in 1951. ■ 16 May Later in 1946 he took African Na- International Day of Light tional Congress membership and The day seeks to strengthen scientific cooperation amongst scientists, became a National Executive professionals, countries and ultimately across the world, in order to har- Committee member of the par- ness science for the common good of all humanity, not just for profits. ty. Like other prominent political The day coincides with the first successful operation of the laser in 1960 leaders of the time Kotane was by physicist and engineer, Theodore Maiman. harassed by the Apartheid government agencies and repressive legislations. He was banned un- 17 May der the Suppression of Commu- World Telecommu- nism Act of 1951. In 1955 Kotane nication and In- and I.M. Cachalia sneaked out of formation Society the country without proper docu- Day ments to attend the famous Band- This day help to raise ung Conference, held in Indone- awareness about the sia. These two activists were sent opportunities of the by the ANC as observers. In 1963 Internet and other in- he left the country for Tanzania. formation and commu- In exile Kotane worked tirelessly nication technologies in the African National Congress (ICT) for individuals, communities and societies, and therefore ways to external missions. bridge the digital divide. The global Information Technology Union (ITU) 26 ANC Today THIS WEEK IN HISTORY assigned the theme for 2021 as “Accelerating Digi- from human activities. Pollination is, however, a fun- tal Transformation in challenging times”. damental process for the survival of our ecosystems. Nearly 90% of the world’s wild flowering plant species depend, entirely, or at least in part, on animal ■ 17 May pollination, along with more than 75% of the world’s International Day against Homophobia, food crops and 35% of global agricultural land. Not Transphobia and Biphobia only do pollinators contribute directly to food security, but they are key to conserving biodiversity. To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, the UN designated 20 May as World Bee Day, and the theme for 2021: BEE engaged. Build Back Better for Bees.

■ 21 May International Tea Day Millions across the world start their day with a cup of tea, or drink it during the day. The Internation- al Tea Day raises awareness of the rights of those In many countries, sexual and gender minorities con- who make it possible, the workers in the tea value tinue to be among the most marginalised individuals chain, to enjoy our favourite brew. The International and groups, often facing discrimination and exclusion Tea Conference in New Delhi came out with an In- from key services including health, education and ternational Declaration on the rights of workers and housing. Homophobia means discrimination and/or small growers to help regulate uneven competition, prejudice against people because of their sexual ori- land ownership, safety regulations, rights of women, entation or their gender identity. The South African social security and living wages. Major African tea Constitution outlaws all discrimination on the basis producers, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and of race, gender, disability, identity as well as sexu- South Africa account for about 30% of world exports al orientation. Our laws make provisions for end- in tea. As we also celebrate Africa month, buy local. ing discrimination based on sexual orientation, but changing attitudes is much more difficult. We have thus seen the rise in hate crimes against people from ■ 21 May the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, inter- World Day for Cultural Diversity sex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) communities. A bill Culture is defined as the ideas, customs, and so- against Hate Crimes is being considered, to ensure cial behaviour shared and/or manifested by people, harsh punishment for crimes of homophobia. groups or a society. All societies have a degree of cultural diversity, as well as the things that brings them together across cultures. The South African ■ 20 May Constitution recognises this, when it talks about our Global Accessibility Day ‘Unity in Diversity.” Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) pro- motes digital access and inclusion for people with disabilities and impairments. GAAD is observed, to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments, whether it’s visual, hearing, movement or cognitive.

■ 20 May World Bee Day Bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies, bats and hummingbirds, are increasingly under threat 27 ANC Today BOOK REVIEW By Fébé Potgieter-Gqubule

Gender mainstreaming in African Continental Free Trade Area National Implementation Strategies (2020. UNECA)

OMEN on the Afri- certification of products that can continent con- meet AfCFTA trade standards; stitutes over half of • Specialized financial literacy, its population, and business and financial manage- theW majority of the poor. And yet, ment training, particularly for fe- on the continent like in the rest of male micro-entrepreneurs; the world, “female-run enterpris- es have been growing steadily…, • Gender-responsive public making a significant contribution procurement policies and pro- to household incomes and the grammes for women-owned growth of national economies.” businesses; • Childcare services The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was oper- Many of these measures should ationalized on 1 January 2021, already be part of national devel- after lengthy negotiations since it opment plans to ensure gender was launched at the African Union equality for women in the econo- Johannesburg Summit in 2015. my, and some are specific to par- The working paper on how coun- ticipation in and navigating a com- tries can mainstream gender in • Mentorship, buyer and busi- mon market. their national AfCFTA strategies, ness network opportunities; is therefore important to make • Targeted support to connect The working document also have sure that this common market and enable female-led enter- an important sectoral focus, look- is inclusive and promote gender prises to compete in regional ing at what specifically needs to equality. value chains; be done to enable women entre- • Digital skills training as more preneurs, business and traders in The paper examines the con- regional value chain activities Agriculture, Manufacturing, and straints that women businesses, go digital; Services. entrepreurs, traders and workers face across the continent, and • Capacity-building and exper- Overall, the paper acknowledges then makes recommendations on tise training on local content the importance of gender main- the following common mitigating and rules of origin require- streaming, of gender-disaggre- and transformative strategies: ments, and other regulations, including AfCFTA certificates gated data, of the diversity of • Access to finance/working of origin, sanitary and phy- women traders and other needs; capital; tosanitary measures and other and the need for women to adapt, • Facilitating market links and technical requirements, such by developing digital and techni- market information; as packaging, labelling and cal skills.

Source: https://archive.uneca.org/sites/default/files/PublicationFiles/gendermainstreaming_wp_en.pdf 28 ANC Today X-WORD #AfricaMonth World Heritage Sites Sources: www.africanworldheritagesites.org and www.awhf.net

ACROSS DOWN 2. Site of meteor crater and dome in South Africa. 1. World’s tallest free-standing massif, amongst 3. National park in Algeria, covered by ‘forests’ of world’s largest volcanoes. eroded sandstone 4. Ancient Kush civilizations of lower Nile in the 5. One amongst five world’s natural heritage Sudan. rainforests in Cameroon 6. Trading and intellectual centre, famous libraries, 8. Desert in neighboring country now in Mali. 10. Sacred grove, tropical high forests, in Nigeria. 7. Global UN agency that designates world heritage sites. 11. Capital of former kingdom of Kongo in Angola. 9. Swahili trading center in Zanzibar. 12. Fortified historic town in Ethiopia. 13. Site of ancient civilization in Ethiopia. 14. Number of African world heritage sites now listed.

WORD BANK UNESCO one hundred and nineteen Tassili N’ajjer Mt Kilimanjaro Dja Faunal Reserve Namib Sand Sea Island of Meroe Axum Timbuktu Vredefort Mbanza Kongo Harar Jugol Osun-Osogbo Stone Town