New idea pits youth against the ANC’s elders

A bruising battle looms at the ANC national conference in December as the younger generation moves to exclude the old guard from leadership.

ANC structures have proposed that the “gogos and mkhulus” be members of the party, but not its leaders.

This proposal is bound to pit the younger generation against the old guard, who make up most of the national executive committee (NEC). But this depends on whether the proposal enjoys the support of most delegates at the conference.

It is contained in the final list of proposed constitutional amendments to be tabled at the party’s conference at Nasrec from December 16 to 20.

The amendments could help revitalise the party, which has been bleeding votes in national and local government elections. Political analysts have frequently said the party was out of touch with issues on the ground and a growing band of young voters.

Acting secretary-general Paul Mashatile on Tuesday sent ANC structures the list of amendments in a letter seen by Business Day. One proposal is to bar older members from contesting leadership positions.

“All South Africans above the age of 65 years shall enjoy full membership rights except being voted for in positions of leadership,” the proposal reads.

If the proposal is accepted, it would exclude President Cyril Ramaphosa, who turns 70 next week; co-operative governance & traditional affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, 73; public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan, 73; former health minister Zweli Mkhize, 66; and 67-year-old mineral resources & energy minister Gwede Mantashe. Also excluded

would be finance minister Enoch Godongwana; police minister Bheki Cele; international relations & co-operation minister Naledi Pandor; and basic education minister Angie Motshekga.

Branches have endorsed the NEC’s proposal to include the step-aside rule in the ANC constitution. The rule has deepened divisions and is likely to be among the most contentious issues on day one of the conference. Some provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo, have called for the rule to be scrapped or refined.

The document was drafted by the subcommittee on constitutional and legal affairs led by Ronald Lamola and will need the backing of two-thirds of the delegates at the conference.

The rule compels those facing serious criminal charges to vacate their positions until after their legal battles have been concluded. The structures have also endorsed an amended version of the rules that would bar such members from contesting positions at ANC conferences.

Structures have endorsed the move for a second deputy secretary-general, extending the ANC’s national office-bearers to seven.

There seems to be consensus in the party that there is a need for a second deputy secretarygeneral, who would focus mainly on organising, consequence management and administrative matters.

The first deputy secretarygeneral would focus on policy matters.

Another radical shift is a proposal that the ANC no longer allow just anyone to become a member. The ANC wants its constitution to be able to exclude those found guilty of stealing money meant for projects that would have benefited the poor, unemployed, vulnerable and marginalised. Even those who do not pay child support would be denied membership.

“Renewal is given a constitutional character and the ANC is being modernised with amendments to allow virtual or hybrid meetings. Also, each member will now have a direct say in the elections of all structures,” Lamola said.

65 is the proposed cut-off age at which ANC members would be excluded from positions of leadership