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ANC NGC prompts varied expectations

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The fourth ANC National General Congress gets underway at Gallagher Estate, Midrand, under a cheerful mood, with the crowd welcoming President Jacob Zuma in whistles and chants.

But as formalities kick-in, the real work of the day will need to show.

Many are attending the gathering with outcome expectations as well as issues they would like to see discussed at length.

One such is party spokesperson, Zizi Kodwa, who wishes the NGC could end with the ANC coming out stronger like a rose that grew from the concrete.

Kodwa also expressed content with the flocking number of candidates to the venue.

Click on the video below to watch the full stream:

Of interest to spot in the crowds were Orlando Pirates boss, Irvin Khoza, as well as Chris Hani’s widow, Dimpho Hani.

On his expectations, Khoza says the NGC, together with the ANC constituencies, should come out with a clear view on economic growth-related issues.

Hani on the other hand, says it’s her wish to see the congress looking back and reflecting on issues/areas where they have achieved.

Ace Ngcobo, ANC Eastern Cape Secretary says, “We should come out of this more unified, with these acrimonious fights for positions.”

The ANC Women’s League’s Maite Nkoana-Mashabane says, “Issues of women’s emancipation, not just economically, but socially and otherwise, are always a priority.”

Mashabane adds: “But it’s not only the responsibility of the Women’s League to push for such issues, but that of the entire leadership of the country and that of the oldest movement in the struggle for liberation.

ANC Youth League President, Collen Maine, says they will be pushing for the issue of free education to be tackled during the congress.

Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) President, Sdumo Dlamini, is of the view that the ANC has been dragging its feet on issues of radical economic transformation.

“Look, we have little movement on the issue of labour brokers despite a law being passed to deal with that,” he adds.

Further, Dlamini says there are looming retrenchments, thus issues on job security have to be dealt with.

“It promises to be a battle of ideas during this congress, hopefully with delegates who have packed the gallery in colourful party regalia able to contribute meaningfully to churn a way forward for the movement, based on concrete issues.”

Click below to read the policy documents.

– By Tshepo Tsheole

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