Chance to chart a new trajectory

AS THE ANC holds its policy conference this weekend, expect the talk not to be too much about policy, but be on the lookout for the proxy battles.

Recent events in the Western Cape have shown that actual policy will be at the back of the minds of some in attendance and the conference will more than likely be a precursor to December’s elective conference, although no votes will be cast.

ANC Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has given contrasting views about how he sees the world as opposed to his rival, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

Ramaphosa has slammed the abuse of slogans, particularly radical economic transformation to defend state capture “by certain families”.

While Dlamini Zuma has been quiet on that front, attacking former Model C schools for being “anti-ANC” and instead focusing her campaign on free, “decolonised” education.

The conference precedes the ANC elective conference by six months and aims to give delegates from all nine provinces an opportunity to coherently engage in some of the party’s policy proposals. The input given by branches could then be adopted in December.

The ANC in the Western Cape says it wants to subject all leaders, particularly members of the national executive, to lifestyle audits and have the party’s integrity committee become a formal structure.

Don’t expect these proposals to get much support from those who have been supportive of outgoing party President Jacob Zuma.

Zuma has been at the helm of the ANC for almost 10 years and has presided over its said decline, from losing support at elections to handing over power in three metros and numerous smaller municipalities.

Dlamini Zuma addressed about 300 delegates who attended the policy council of Youth In Action in Durban yesterday. She was quoted as saying decolonising education was more than just changing content in the curriculum.

It was about a new way of thinking and doing things, and must start with the decolonisation of the mind.

Those sentiments shared and, in light of the policy conference, it will do the ruling party well to use the event to regroup and chart a new trajectory – one which will hopefully clear the way for our leaders to rise up and tackle the recent slump which has seemingly left the ANC captured.