ORGANISATIONAL CHARACTER; DEMOCRACY AND DISCIPLINE ANC YL EDUCATION MANUAL
Introductory Remarks The 4 th President of the ANC Josiah Tshanga Gumede visited the Soviet Union to join in the celebrations of the 10 th Anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution, and said when he came back, "I have seen the new world to come, where it has already begun. I have been to the New Jerusalem. I have brought the key which would unlock the door to freedom. In 1969, the Strategy and Tactics of the ANC was prologued by a statement that read: We are leaving in the world which is in transition to socialism. In 1979, the Politico Military Strategy Commission of the Revolutionary Alliance pointed to the reality that there is no doubt that the struggle should lead to socialism.
Introductory remarks In this context, the SACP has always understood that it could not delegate its socialist tasks to the ANC, consistent with the fact that the tasks of the socialist revolution could not be delegated to the National Democratic Revolution. the ANC would respect the right and duty of our ally, the South African Communist Party, to lead the struggle for the victory of the socialist revolution. [as the ANC] never obstructed the SACP in its socialist objectives, and therefore joined the reactionary anti communist forces. WHERE DO THESE QUOTES COME FROM? Chris Hani could excellently distinguish between noncommunist and anti communist. The ANC is a non communist organisation, yet it is not anticommunist.
The ANC Youth League Youth Wing of the ANC. Strategic vision and guiding programme is the Freedom Charter and a National Democratic Society defined in the ANC s S&T. It s struggle and route towards the Strategic Vision is the National Democratic Revolution. Mobilises Youth behind the vision of the ANC and champions the interests of youth Twin Tasks. The CONSTITUTION: The ANCYL shall function as an autonomous body within the overall structure of the ANC of which it shall be an integral part. It shall be based on the political and ideological objectives of the ANC. AN INDEPENDENT DOER, BUT INTEGRAL PART OF THE ANC.
WHAT IS THE ANC? Mass National Liberation Movement and governing political Party. Multi class/multi strata with a bias or leaning towards the black working class, and the rural and urban poor as the major motive force for genuine liberation. Stands to objectively benefit and the most reliable class in any revolutionary transformation programme.
Character of the ANC Broad Church Organisational Character, not an ideological telescope. National Liberation Movement Governing Party S&T Overall, since 1994, the balance of forces has shifted in favour of the forces of change. It provides the basis for speedier implementation of programmes to build a truly democratic and prosperous society. The legal and policy scaffolding for this is essentially in place. Most of society wants this to happen. At least in public discourse, except for a tiny minority, those apprehensive about change express their concerns more in terms of pace and scale rather than substance.
Liberation? Morogoro S&T says In our country more than in any other part of the oppressed world it is inconceivable for liberation to have meaning without a return of the wealth of the land to the people as a whole. It is therefore a fundamental feature of our strategy that victory must embrace more than formal political democracy. Further says To allow the existing economic forces to retain their interests intact is to feed the root of racial supremacy and does not represent even the shadow of liberation.
Green Book said on the NDR The AIMS of our National Democratic Revolution will only be fully realised with the construction of a social order in which all the historic consequences of national oppression and its FOUNDATION, economic exploitation will be liquidated.
What is the NDR? A programme to create a single, non racial, non sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa within the guidance of the Freedom Charter. The ANC was not always revolutionary, it matured in the struggles for national liberation to assume the character it has.
What is National in NDR The NDR is a struggle for NATIONAL SELF DETERMINATION consolidation of National Sovereignty changing of the dependent development path. The national in the NDR also refers to the task of NATION BUILDING consolidation of a single, collective South Africanness dispelling of narrow ethnic, tribal and racial nations. Racism ideological weapon for imperialism. The third dimension of the national in the NDR is REVOLUTIONARY NATIONALISM. recognition and acknowledgment of the national content of the class struggle.
What is Democracy Democracy is the culture of broader and equal participation in decision making process and this includes: Elections Human Rights Equality of Constitutional Rights Civil Liberties Freedom Rule of law Democracy is both the goal of, and a critical means of waging the NDR.
What is a Revolution? A change in social, political and economic relations; A change of the ruling class through elections or violent insurrection. Revolutions are a result of: Failure of governments to meet social needs. Economic collapse. Revolutions can be between or against classes. Society is always in constant revolution, with the ultimate goal being the seizure of political and state power. Was 1994 in SA a Revolution?
What then is Organisational Democracy Culture of broader and equal participation in organisational decision making process. This includes equal rights for all members to elect and be elected in all structures of the organisation. Further includes the rights and obligations as provided for in the Constitution of the ANC YL.
PRINCIPLES FOR ORGANISATIONAL DEMOCRACY 1. Elected Leadership 2. Collective Leadership 3. Consultation 4. Powers of National Conference 5. Mandates, Accountability and Reporting 6. Criticism and Self Criticism 7. Democratic Centralism
1. Elected Leadership Leadership of the ANC is elected at all levels, and reelections are held at regular intervals. No single individual must become irreplaceable. In addition, elected leadership can be recalled before the end of their term of office if they are not disciplined. Members, according to the constitution, have a right to take part in elections and be elected to any committee, structure, commission or delegation of the ANC.
2. Collective Leadership The ANC YL has leadership collectives, instead of a single leader, at all levels of organisation BECs, PECS, the NWC and the NEC. The constitution sets out the powers of each of these structures and they are expected to operate as a collective. This means that there must be continuous and ongoing consultations on matters affecting the ANC YL. In addition, it means that all members must take responsibility to explain and ensure the implementation of decisions taken by these collectives. Collective leadership also means that leadership skills, experience and knowledge must be shared.
3. Consultation Consultation is not an end in itself. We have consultations to ensure that there is popular support in the ANC for certain decisions and policies and are able to explain them to others and to the public in general. Consultation is also part of ensuring that as a liberation movement we remain true to our calling that our people should shape their own destiny, and that the ANC is the correct vehicle through which to do this. The State should also be Embedded in society and guided by the aspirations of the people.
4. Powers of National Conference The National Conference of the ANC YL is the highest decisionmaking body of our unitary organisation and can ratify or change any decision or policy adopted by structures at other levels. National Conference consists of mandated individuals from all constitutional structures of the movement at all levels of organisation. The National Conference elects leadership which is responsible for giving guidance to all organisational processes until the next national congress. This retains the roles of BECs, RECs, PECs and NEC.
5. Mandate, Accountability, Reporting In the context of the above our organisational structures should provide elected members with mandates to guide them when they represent us in various structures of the ANC and elsewhere. This is not say that we do not encourage individuals deployed to express their views, nor that those elected to leadership position. We expect all the members of our organisation to think for themselves, to be able to raise and debate their ideas at any time, and to be able to take initiative to further the goal of our struggle. Leadership is expected to lead our movement, ensuring that we respond to challenges and that we implement our programmes. However, when there is a need to change in strategy or policy, we expect leadership and elected representatives to consult and get fresh mandated on the new direction.
6. Criticism and Self Criticism We do not believe that any of our members are beyond criticism. Our movement and our strategies are also not beyond criticism. This means have regular evaluations, questions must be asked and constructive criticism encouraged. We must also have a cadreship and leadership who are humble and prepared to listen to constructive criticism. Part of being a cadre also means an ongoing process of self criticism, evaluation, learning improving our strategies, tactics and policies as a movement.
7. Democratic Centralism The ANC YL is a unitary and national organisation. Its operations are guided by the principles of democratic centralism which includes the following: a) Decision of the majority prevail b) Decisions of higher structures bind lower structures c) Responsibility of leadership and cadres
A. Decision of the Majority Prevail After debate and discussion on a particular issue in the correct structures, a decision is taken which is binding on all members of the ANC. Even if an individual has motivated or voted for a different position, that individual will have a responsibility to implement and defend the decision that has been taken. When decisions are taken, members right to differ dwindles into insignificance. Major Challenge multi membership
B. Decisions of higher structures bind lower structures As a unitary organisation, this principle applies. Because of this there is the provision for ex officio representation of lower structures in all higher structures in all higher structures of the ANC YL. The NEC is the highest decision making structure between national conference and between NGCs therefore has the overall responsibility of ensuring that conference resolution are implemented, that the constitution is upheld, that it leads lower structures and maintains the character, discipline and unity of the ANC YL and that national interests are balanced with sectoral and geographical consideration and interests. Lower Structures retain the right to raise new debates and angles resolved in previous conferences, but within the confines of the organisational principles, democracy and discipline.
C. Responsibility of leadership and cadres The nature and character of the ANC YL means that cadres and leaders must take their responsibilities, rights and obligations seriously. For example, leadership collectives at all levels often have to take decisions in the interest of the movement which may be unpopular. A leader who is part of such a collective has the responsibility to understand the motivations for such decision and explain it to the membership and the public in general. This also means that leadership collectives must be in touch with popular sentiment in our structures as well as with public opinion. In this way, when decisions are taken, the movement can take along its support base and not make errors of judgment which may backfire.
C. Responsibilities of leadership and cadres Cadreship must display strength of their convictions to raise matters and problems in forums where they have the opportunity to do so, even if this may risk individual promotion. The interest of the organisation must be placed above self interest. Leadership, on the other hand, must ensure that there is a climate that allows for the open debate and raising issues and deal with victimisation should this arise. The responsibility for the democratic character of the ANC is the responsibility of both leaders and cadres. Our cadreship and our leadership must strive for personal attributes such as commitment, dedication, loyalty, respect for others, modesty, incorruptibility and critical, independent thinking.
ORGANISATIONAL DISCIPLINE Discipline is a weapon of struggle and transformation. It does not exist for its own sake, but to safeguard the unity of the movement, ensure that it is able to fulfill its historic mission and achieve its objectives. Discipline is a political matter.
Constitutional Rights for ANC YL members take part in the formulation and discussion of the ANCYL policy; be elected to any committee, commission or delegation of the youth. For an ANCYL member to qualify to stand for position in the NEC, PEC, REC and Zonal Committee, the member should be an active member of the ANCYL in good standing for at least three years for the NEC and PEC, two years for the REC and one y ear for the Zonal Committee; submit proposals or statements to the branch and to the region and province on any matter that affects the youth and society in general; engage in constructive criticism and self criticism, within the constitutional structures of the League; protection against any harassment, victimisation and/ or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sex or creed; actively participate in all ANCYL activities.
Obligations for ANC YL Members All ANCYL members are obliged to: pledge their unswerving loyalty to the ANCYL and place themselves under its overall discipline; carry out decisions, duties and directives with diligence; organise, participate and contribute positively to all ANCYL activities and to contribute to the strengthening of its organic unity; rally all youth to support and unite behind the ANCYL and actively participate in the creation of a united, non racial, non sexist. democratic and prosperous South Africa;
Obligations for ANC YL members.. protect the ANCYL and its property at all times by exercising maximum vigilance; exercise discipline and exemplary behaviour at all times and maintain harmonious relations with all members of the ANCYL and the community in general; combat all forms of tribalism, regionalism, nepotism, and other forms of discrimination based on race and sex as well as combating factionalism and malicious gossip within our ranks; initiate and participate in activities aimed at promoting international solidarity, peace and social Justice; Every member of the ANC Youth League above the age of 18 shall be obliged to join the ANC.
Conclusion! The democratic culture of the ANC YL, and indeed its organisational and political discipline, is central to the character of the ANC YL. This culture of democratic and open debate allows us to come up with the most progressive policies and to allow the organisation to correct itself from within. This is what distinguishes the ANC YL from the political parties and movements in the country and in many parts of the world.
What is to be done by Provinces Intensify political education on organisational democracy. Strengthen organisational memory of the ANC YL.. NB: consistency in our resolutions and approach. Place the Youth League as the leader its members, society, particularly young people. Through the intensification of social transformation programmes.. 1. Better health; 2. education, 3. social security, 4. employment creation, 5. youth development, 6. safety and security, 7. alcohol abuse, sports, arts and culture, HIV/AIDS, Literacy, Housing.
What is to be done? DEFEND POLOKWANE Increased Organisational Democracy Free education until undergraduate level. Better Health National Youth Development Agency Alliance as a political centre