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Executive Member
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There have been a lot of reports in the media in the past two weeks on remarks made by the ANC President at public engagements which are claimed by various journalists and commentators to be inconsistent with ANC policy. I would like to clarify some of the points made, as they have been grossly misrepresented by some sections of the media.
ON THE DEATH PENALTY
There is no ambiguity in the ANC’s position on the death penalty, as I have consistently stated. The ANC is opposed to capital punishment, for cogent reasons. I have also made it clear that we are a democratic country and that it would be difficult for us as the ANC to tell people they cannot debate whether or not there should be a referendum on the matter. It would be a contradiction if we say we believe in democracy, but refuse to allow people space to tell us what they think. In the course of such a debate, some people may be persuaded to change their views. A debate would not change the fact that the ANC’s policy and the country’s Constitution remain very clear on the right to life of every South African citizen. We who believe in this view should be ready to defend it through engagement and persuasion, not through denying others a platform to state their views.
ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
During an interaction with the union Solidarity, a white parent asked on behalf of his young son whether he would battle to find a job when he finished school due to our affirmative action policies. I indicated that I welcomed Solidarity’s view on affirmative action, in which they stated clearly that they were not opposed to the policy, but wanted to engage us on how we can find a way to accommodate white South Africans especially with regard to scarce skills where no suitable black candidates were available. I said there should be dialogue on the matter. As the ANC, we welcome interaction between the different formations of organised labour in the country.
We believe the sharing of views would enable us to deal with any perceptions that may exist within the white community on affirmative action.
ON THE LABOUR MARKET
On the issue of labour market flexibility, the Polokwane conference resolved that the creation of decent work opportunities is the primary focus of ANC economic policy. At the same time, given the existence of two economies in the country, we need to continuously seek ways of improving the lot of people in the second economy. That is a reinforcement of our policy. Not a deviation. As the ANC, we will continue to guard and work to deepen the hard-won rights of workers. I chose to brief a meeting of the COSATU Central Executive Committee on this matter, as I felt I needed to explain to them what was fast being distorted by the media. I was not “summoned” by COSATU as some sections of the media reported. We should not be afraid to listen to other views and to persuade each other of the correctness of our positions.
ON THE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
The media hype around an interview I had with the Financial Times, which reports that I said the President of the Republic no longer has any powers, is mischievous. It is a misrepresentation of what I said in the interview. We have stated repeatedly that the ANC government implements ANC policy. Therefore all ANC members in government, from a national to a local level, are accountable to the movement. This is nothing new. Nor should it change simply because different people occupy the positions of ANC President and President of the country. The powers, duties and responsibilities of the President of the Republic, which are prescribed by the South African Constitution, have not been changed or diminished.
ON ANC POLICY
The ANC is a dynamic movement that has policies that are tried and tested and well-known. We continuously monitor and evaluate the implementation of our policies, in annual Makgotla, in National General Council (NGCs), in Policy Conferences and the five-yearly National Conferences. The ANC has a responsibility to engage in these processes to ensure that its policies are indeed advancing the objective of a better life for all South Africans. That is why I said that policies should not be seen as equivalent to the “Ten Commandements”. Instead, they should be open to review and ongoing interrogation. 2
CONCLUSION
Our democracy enshrines the principle of freedom of expression. It is therefore, in my view, correct to allow South Africans the space to make their views on our policies known. This enables us to explain our positions, and to benefit from the views expressed. The ANC is clear on its policies. But we are not afraid of debate.
Jacob Zuma President African National Congress
10 March 2008
There have been a lot of reports in the media in the past two weeks on remarks made by the ANC President at public engagements which are claimed by various journalists and commentators to be inconsistent with ANC policy. I would like to clarify some of the points made, as they have been grossly misrepresented by some sections of the media.
ON THE DEATH PENALTY
There is no ambiguity in the ANC’s position on the death penalty, as I have consistently stated. The ANC is opposed to capital punishment, for cogent reasons. I have also made it clear that we are a democratic country and that it would be difficult for us as the ANC to tell people they cannot debate whether or not there should be a referendum on the matter. It would be a contradiction if we say we believe in democracy, but refuse to allow people space to tell us what they think. In the course of such a debate, some people may be persuaded to change their views. A debate would not change the fact that the ANC’s policy and the country’s Constitution remain very clear on the right to life of every South African citizen. We who believe in this view should be ready to defend it through engagement and persuasion, not through denying others a platform to state their views.
ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
During an interaction with the union Solidarity, a white parent asked on behalf of his young son whether he would battle to find a job when he finished school due to our affirmative action policies. I indicated that I welcomed Solidarity’s view on affirmative action, in which they stated clearly that they were not opposed to the policy, but wanted to engage us on how we can find a way to accommodate white South Africans especially with regard to scarce skills where no suitable black candidates were available. I said there should be dialogue on the matter. As the ANC, we welcome interaction between the different formations of organised labour in the country.
We believe the sharing of views would enable us to deal with any perceptions that may exist within the white community on affirmative action.
ON THE LABOUR MARKET
On the issue of labour market flexibility, the Polokwane conference resolved that the creation of decent work opportunities is the primary focus of ANC economic policy. At the same time, given the existence of two economies in the country, we need to continuously seek ways of improving the lot of people in the second economy. That is a reinforcement of our policy. Not a deviation. As the ANC, we will continue to guard and work to deepen the hard-won rights of workers. I chose to brief a meeting of the COSATU Central Executive Committee on this matter, as I felt I needed to explain to them what was fast being distorted by the media. I was not “summoned” by COSATU as some sections of the media reported. We should not be afraid to listen to other views and to persuade each other of the correctness of our positions.
ON THE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
The media hype around an interview I had with the Financial Times, which reports that I said the President of the Republic no longer has any powers, is mischievous. It is a misrepresentation of what I said in the interview. We have stated repeatedly that the ANC government implements ANC policy. Therefore all ANC members in government, from a national to a local level, are accountable to the movement. This is nothing new. Nor should it change simply because different people occupy the positions of ANC President and President of the country. The powers, duties and responsibilities of the President of the Republic, which are prescribed by the South African Constitution, have not been changed or diminished.
ON ANC POLICY
The ANC is a dynamic movement that has policies that are tried and tested and well-known. We continuously monitor and evaluate the implementation of our policies, in annual Makgotla, in National General Council (NGCs), in Policy Conferences and the five-yearly National Conferences. The ANC has a responsibility to engage in these processes to ensure that its policies are indeed advancing the objective of a better life for all South Africans. That is why I said that policies should not be seen as equivalent to the “Ten Commandements”. Instead, they should be open to review and ongoing interrogation. 2
CONCLUSION
Our democracy enshrines the principle of freedom of expression. It is therefore, in my view, correct to allow South Africans the space to make their views on our policies known. This enables us to explain our positions, and to benefit from the views expressed. The ANC is clear on its policies. But we are not afraid of debate.
Jacob Zuma President African National Congress
10 March 2008
