1 ANC Today VOTE ANC 40 VOICE OF THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS DAYS LEFT 29 March - 04 April 2019 Conversations with the President Solidarity with Western Sahara by Men and Women of Conscience outh Africa welcomes for all who share the vision of a As lovers of peace The presence of representatives you to our country. world free from subjugation, a world from the national liberation We are honoured to where the strong do not exert their and freedom – as movements of the region, from the host this historic act dominance through force of arms. African Union and African Union of solidarity with the In the many times he addressed the men and women Commission, from the Southern Saharawi people. international community on the anti- of conscience African Development Community apartheid struggle, Comrade OR, and our friends in the international SIt is fitting that this conference as he was known, spoke of the role – let us step up community sends the clearest of is taking place in a building of ‘men and women of conscience’ messages. named after Oliver Reginald Tambo, in giving voice to the struggles of our international That message is that we are with a legendary statesman and a oppressed peoples everywhere. solidarity efforts, in the people of the Western Sahara. committed internationalist who was Gathered here today are men and We stand with you, we support you, unwavering in his support for the women of conscience. both word and deed, and we will never forget you. struggle for self-determination of You stood by South Africa during with the people of This conference reflects our the Saharawi people. It was Oliver the struggle for our own liberation, commitment, as the countries of Reginald Tambo who affirmed, as we and today you are here to affirm your Western Sahara, with Africa, supported by our friends in the do today, that international solidarity solidarity with the Saharawi people international community, to call for a is an imperative for progressive in their quest for self-determination. Polisario and with just, acceptable and lasting solution peoples everywhere. the Saharawi Arab to the situation in Western Sahara. Building bridges of friendship is We are with the people of It follows on a decision made at the a natural and just course of action Saharawi Democratic Republic. 37th Summit continues on page 4 Food Security Reflecting on Cyclone Idai and as a Human 25 years of Natural Disaster Parliamentary management in Right Administration SADC 5 7 9 [email protected] Follow us on @MyANC 011 376 1000 Connect with ANC Today and be part of the Follow Us @MyANC Twitter page conversation via our social media platforms. www.anctoday.org.za Follow @myanc_ on Instagram Visit our interactive ANC Website CONNECT WITH US www.anc1912.org.za View @MyANC on YouTube 2 ANC Today EDITORIAL An Effective, Accountable and Citizen-focused State and Government he 2019 elections take place against the backdrop of significant strides in improving the lives of South Africans. Over the past 25 years, the dignity of our people hasT been restored. Few countries in the world have succeeded in expanding vital services such as water, sanitation, electricity, roads and housing to so many people in such a short time. We promoted nation-building, social By Phumulo Masualle, Chairperson: cohesion and celebrated our Governance and Legislature diversity as a nation. This was Sub-Committee made possible by our concerted efforts to build a capable and developmental state. continues on page 4 The National Development Plan In our South African (NDP) anticipates that by 2030 we context, these will have a developmental state that is accountable, focused on monopolies remain citizen’s priorities, and capable of in white hands, delivering high-quality services consistently and sustainably and the excessive through cooperative governance concentration of and participatory democracy. The NDP equally demands of wealth and financial us to place South Africa on a power in the hands sustainable path that effectively addresses the twin challenges of of large corporations poverty and inequality. In order inevitably leads to realise this vision, the state needs to play a transformative to abuse and and developmental role, which exploitation. requires well-run and effectively coordinated state institutions with skilled public servants. we have built robust systems The efforts to build a sustainable and institutions to strengthen and capable state have come oversight and accountability, a long way since the advent of enhance public involvement, democracy in 1994 when we deepen engagement and strengthen In 2000 government announced a the period 1998/99 to 2017/18, had to amalgamate a number of cooperative governance as well programme of free basic services now totalling some R110 billion. disparate administrations from as legislative capacity. for indigent households, which This constitutes a substantial the apartheid state and homeland As part of the ever-constant would guarantee a minimum commitment to decentralisation. administrations into a single evaluation of service delivery package of tariff-free essential Despite huge differences between public service. The number of that government undertakes, services. The services were municipalities, there has been municipalities was rationalised from a Citizen Report Card (CRC) meant to be derived from the impressive overall progress with over 1 200 racially segregated, Survey is commissioned in order ‘equitable share’ of nationally the delivery of infrastructure institutionally fragmented and to gauge levels of access to and raised revenue provided for in services. Households with access undemocratic local government effectiveness of government the Constitution. In addition, to piped water improved from structures in the early 1990’s services. The survey is intended government instituted a wide 70% (28 million people) in 1996 to 257 democratically elected to act as an instrument with variety of conditional grants for to 88,8% (50,9 million) in 2017. municipalities in 2016. which government can adjust particular functions and services. Households with access to at least Public participation, accountability government service delivery with In aggregate, transfers to local basic sanitation (VIP pit latrines) and effective oversight are essential the interests of the public who government have grown more improved from 48,8% (19,5 million instruments of a functioning use these services or facilities. than ten-fold in real terms over people) in 1996 continues on page 3 democracy. Over the last 25 years, 3 ANC Today EDITORIAL continued from page 2 An Effective, Accountable and Citizen-focused State and Government In our South African context, these monopolies remain in white hands, and the excessive concentration of wealth and financial power in the hands of large corporations inevitably leads to abuse and exploitation. to 82.2% of households (46 million) in 2017. 4,7 million new households have been connected to the electricity grid since 1994, and by 2017, 84.4% (or 13.7 million) households were connected to an bodies appointed by Council and access to education, tripling of appointing a new Commissioner electricity supply. responsible for reviewing local enrolments at tertiary institutions to head this essential institution. Failure to invest in operation and government expenditure and with billions given in bursaries and In the last week, the President maintenance inevitably results in performance reports in hearings a six-fold increase in uptake of published a proclamation establishing higher costs and the inability to that are open to the media and the social security benefits. Millions the Investigation Directorate within realise revenue projections. Although public to encourage transparency. have benefited from housing, the NPA. The ANC believes the most cities and some smaller By 2012 80% of municipalities access to electricity, literacy establishment of this directorate municipalities have developed reported having established MPACs, programmes, water and many is a step in the right direction asset and information management and by 2018 this rose to 99%. other amenities. and a demonstration of the ANC- systems that help them to manage led government’s unwavering existing infrastructure assets and Legislature Restoring Trust and commitment to root out corruption to identify future challenges, failure The legislative arm of the state Confidence in Public and deal state capture a fatal blow. to properly manage infrastructure through Parliament and Provincial Institution The ANC called for the establishment is in large part responsible for Legislatures continues to be an We have had to deal with the of the Zondo Commission in order service delivery failures. expression of our democratic effects of state capture on vital to lay bare all forms of state capture While the annual municipal audit values and an assembly of public public institutions, including our and ensure that all those against outcomes generate much criticism representatives entrusted with law enforcement agencies, whose whom evidence of criminality is of local government performance, the task of making laws that integrity and ability to fulfil their found face the full might of the the long-term trend provides a enable the realisation of a society mandate had been eroded in law. The establishment of this more sober picture of the advances envisaged in the Constitution recent years. We have therefore Directorate is the clearest indication made. Evidence