The ANC has published nine discussion documents likely to influence government’s policy shifts over the next five years.The documents, which cover areas including, among others, health, education, the economy and agriculture, will be under scrutiny when more than 3000 delegates to the ANC’s national general council (NGC) meet from October 9 to 11.
Central to the discussions would be how the ruling party deals with job losses across sectors.
In the mining sector alone, several companies announced last month they would shed thousands of jobs due to the falling commodity prices.
Platinum producer Lonmin announced it was planning to close some of its Rustenburg operations and shed 6000 jobs while Glencore announced plans to lay off workers at its Optimum Coal Mines.
Anglo American Platinum announced in June it had plans to overhaul a number of its South African mines.
In the discussion document for economy, the ANC acknowledges that government has injected billions improving the country’s infrastructure but that did little to create decent jobs and to develop the economy.
Tabling the discussion documents, ANC’s head of policy Jeff Radebe said there had been a substantial increase in public investment and related jobs since the global economic crisis of 2008.
“Despite these and many more other interventions, growth remains too low and job creation insufficient.
“A key constraint to achieving our economic growth targets is the national electricity shortage,” said Radebe.
There are proposals to help improve the performance and the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector.
They include diversifying trade and investment by particularly focusing on the African continent and Brics countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China); as well as up-scaling implementation of industrial support measures.
It is proposed that emerging farmers be supported with implements and other measures and that commercial agriculture gets incentives.
Also under scrutiny at the NGC will be the media.
The section on media and diversity suggests the party wants a plan to counter the “media onslaught against the ANC”.
Proposals include rigorous training for all ANC spin doctors and government deployees. A controversial proposal is to train journalists and political analysts who are sympathetic to the ANC.
The role of the press ombudsman, the party also suggests, is not effective enough.
ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane said the Eastern Cape would hold its provincial general council next month.
ANC to debate master plan for SA’s future
Central to the discussions would be how the ruling party deals with job losses across sectors.
In the mining sector alone, several companies announced last month they would shed thousands of jobs due to the falling commodity prices.
Platinum producer Lonmin announced it was planning to close some of its Rustenburg operations and shed 6000 jobs while Glencore announced plans to lay off workers at its Optimum Coal Mines.
Anglo American Platinum announced in June it had plans to overhaul a number of its South African mines.
In the discussion document for economy, the ANC acknowledges that government has injected billions improving the country’s infrastructure but that did little to create decent jobs and to develop the economy.
Tabling the discussion documents, ANC’s head of policy Jeff Radebe said there had been a substantial increase in public investment and related jobs since the global economic crisis of 2008.
“Despite these and many more other interventions, growth remains too low and job creation insufficient.
“A key constraint to achieving our economic growth targets is the national electricity shortage,” said Radebe.
There are proposals to help improve the performance and the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector.
They include diversifying trade and investment by particularly focusing on the African continent and Brics countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China); as well as up-scaling implementation of industrial support measures.
It is proposed that emerging farmers be supported with implements and other measures and that commercial agriculture gets incentives.
Also under scrutiny at the NGC will be the media.
The section on media and diversity suggests the party wants a plan to counter the “media onslaught against the ANC”.
Proposals include rigorous training for all ANC spin doctors and government deployees. A controversial proposal is to train journalists and political analysts who are sympathetic to the ANC.
The role of the press ombudsman, the party also suggests, is not effective enough.
ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane said the Eastern Cape would hold its provincial general council next month.
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