The ANC held its special NEC meeting, yesterday December 14, 2009, at Essselen Park, Ekurhuleni.

The meeting was an important special NEC which finalized the content of the statement that will be delivered by the President on the occasion to celebrate the 98th anniversary of the ANC next year.

The rally to celebrate this momentous occasion will be held in Kimberly at the GWK Park on the 9th January 2010.

In his political overview, the ANC President addressed himself to the importance of uniting all South Africans. He stressed that the ANC and the Alliance must at all times optimize and strengthen unity within its structures.  It was in this context that he raised the concern about the fact that the ANC delegation to the special conference of the South African Communist Party was booed. He directed that the delegation must prepare and submit a full report of what transpired so as to enable the NEC to engage the SACP early next year.

In its discussion of the matter the NEC took the view that it was wrong for the SACP delegates to boo the ANC delegation to their congress. The NEC therefore calls on all members to refrain from fuelling tensions and to allow for the NEC to raise its displeasure with the SACP.

The NEC agreed to prioritise unity, respect for one another, discipline and comradeship and that all members must place these priorities above personal interests.

The fundamental principle which is key to our values as an organization and generally as a people, is the respect for one another, for the next person regardless of this or her station in life.

The working relations amongst Alliance partners are solid. We consult each other and work together on key issues and programmes that affect our country, as we should.

We know that there will never be total agreement amongst Alliance partners, and we must continue to respect the autonomy of individual components of the Alliance.

However, such disagreements must be handled in a manner that sustains unity.

The NEC further called upon all its structures as well as the Alliance partners to disengage in acrimonious public spats.  We have rules and protocols of engagement within the Alliance which all of us must respect.


The NEC congratulated and welcomed the national leadership of the ANC Veterans League led by Sandi Sijake as President and Nantso Khumalo as the Secretary. The veteran's League was afforded the opportunity to address the NEC.

The NEC congratulated President Jacob Zuma for being granted the highest honour by the Zambian government. President Zuma is the second ANC President to receive this highest honour after our late President Oliver Tambo.

Statement issued by Jackson Mthembu, African National Congress national spokesperson, December 15 2009

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