Ruling party sets out its overhaul strategy

THE ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) has proposed that free tertiary education be offered for undergraduate studies and that public clinics operate seven days a week, as part of an overhaul strategy.

ANC provincial secretary, Deshi Ngxanga, stated that urgent measures needed to be taken to improve the integrity of the ANC membership system during the provincial general policy conference that was held over the weekend.

“The current membership system is susceptible to abuse and gatekeeping,” Ngxanga said.

He recommended that the powers and functioning of the Integrity Commission should be reviewed and guided by the constitution.

Implement

Ngxanga added that the incoming ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) should implement a system where ANC leaders are elected by ANC members.

“The current delegation system is riddled with serious weaknesses that compromise branch mandates derived by ordinary members.”

He indicated that the ANC also needed to revisit the guidelines for the nomination of candidates who were contesting local government elections.

“The current guidelines have many loopholes that open the process to abuse and consequently lead to community protests with adverse impact on the ANC election performance.”

Ngxanga stated that land redistribution should be fast tracked and called for an end to monopoly capital.

“The racially skewed land ownership patterns poses a serious threat to social stability in the country.

“Strategies must be devised to fight against corruption, both in the public and private sector, where lifestyle audits are randomly conducted on public representatives and senior managers.”

Social transformation policy proposals:

The ANC must work towards ensuring free tertiary education for the first junior degree by 2020.

Develop a proper model that will ensure that urban and rural evictions take into considerations the circumstances of the poor, and particularly the elderly.

Upgrading of libraries and building of libraries in previously disadvantaged communities.

Strengthening safety and security measures in high schools to curb anti-social behaviour and gangsterism.

Public clinics must open for seven days a week.

The need to urgently allocate adequate resources to the Department of Health.