Media Statement

The Veterans League (VL) of the ANC is excited to announce that its third national conference will be taking place from 28 to 30 July 2023 at Birchwood Hotel, Ekurhuleni under the theme: “Renewal of the ANC to Advance the National Democratic Revolution”.  

After the expiry of the end of the term of the previous Veteran’s League National Executive Council (NEC), a National Task Team (NTT) was appointed to take the VL to a national elected conference within nine months.  It is as a result of the tireless work of the veterans, that this deadline has been met. 

We are further pleased to announce that this Conference is going to be a conference of branches with 95% of the delegates arriving tomorrow coming from properly constituted branches. And, seven of the nine provinces have held Provincial Conferences in the run-up to this important gathering.

The process to get here has involved clarifying membership criteria, assisting veterans to become members and setting up Provincial Task Teams which convened branches and provincial conferences. Individuals who are over 60 and have been involved for 40 years in the ANC including the underground and mass democratic movement, trade union movement and faith-based organisations associated with the Congress Movement were determined as eligible to become members of the Veteran’s League.

The Conference will be attended by about 500 delegates with the provincial breakdown as follows:

• Eastern Cape: 125
• Free State: 29
• Gauteng: 65
• KwaZulu Natal: 29
• Limpopo: 35
• Mpumalanga: 54
• Northern Cape:37
• North West:29
• Western Cape:47

At least 50% of delegates are women and reflect the non-racial character of the ANC.  Only pre-registered delegates which have been duly elected and representing their branches will be attending.

The Conference will be opened by the  ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula and be closed by the ANC President, Cyril Ramaphosa.  The conference will be electing 27 NEC members led by five office bearers.  It will receive reports on the work of the NTT, especially in respect of renewal and policy matters which the NTT deliberated on and resolutions will be adopted. Amendments to the VL constitution are also up for approval.

An important role of the NTT has been to identify the key tasks of ANC veterans.  These  include, firstly, rebuilding veteran’s league branches and other structures so that veterans can play a role in leading and guiding both the movement and society, particularly on issues relating to integrity, ethics and values.

Secondly, to contribute to the renewal of the ANC through the battle of ideas, political education and cadre development. And thirdly, to participate actively in resolving local issues facing communities including through participation in ANC branches, and community structures and guiding ANC cadres and councillors. This is in line with the imperative of the ANC to reconnect with the masses of our people as was proposed by the NTT at the ANC’s 55th National Conference.

Over the nine months of its existence, the NTT also set up sub-committees responsible for renewal, policy, organisation and mobilisation and fund raising.

The policy committee has considered the many contemporary challenges facing South Africa as well as the ANC. They have deliberated on the energy crisis, service delivery challenges and have made inputs into the ANC’s strategy on coalitions and addressing dysfunctional municipalities.

There are also internal issues facing the VL such as the welfare of veterans including those involved in the armed struggle and in prison which are being addressed and will need to continue to be addressed by the incoming NEC.

The renewal sub-committee proposed  a road map to renew the ANC. It also indicates  disappointment that several constitutional amendments that were proposed to the ANC Constitution at the December 2022 conference were not considered and passed.  The VL has proposed that between now and the next ANC Conference, the NEC should pass resolutions to strengthen and improve the functioning of the Integrity Commission,  disciplinary processes and internal and external election procedures.

We are convinced that the VL Conference this weekend will proceed smoothly with exemplary conduct by delegates and continue to put the ANC VL on the path of becoming a credible, disciplined, non-factional, legitimate and united organisation from branch level up.

END

ISSUED BY THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS VETERANS LEAGUE

Enquiries

Mac Maharaj

ANCVL National Spokesperson

Tel: 079 879 3203