ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa says loadshedding, crime, corruption and competency were important factors that need to be dealt with for the safety and security of the country. Ramaphosa was addressing the ANC NEC Lekgotla and newly elected national working committee (NWC) members during his opening address at the ANC NEC Lekgotla sitting in Ekurhuleni. The newly elected ANC NEC gathered to elect the national working committee members and to also discuss issues affecting the country. This follows the induction of the 80 NEC members at the Esselenpark Conference Centre in the east of Johannesburg, on Thursday.
FIGHTING CRIME AND CORRUPTION
Ramaphosa said there are a number of actions that must be undertaken to strengthen the fight against crime and corruption and ensure the safety of the nation and its people." He added that they must ensure that they give speedy effect to the conference resolutions to further strengthen law enforcement agencies and criminal justice institutions. "We cannot allow these unscrupulous criminals to devastate the well-being of our nation, its people and the economy." he said adding that ANC members and structures must also work with communities and law enforcement to bring criminals and crime syndicates to book.
HIRING QUALIFIED OFFICIALS
He said the ANC must also be more diligent in ensuring that competent and qualified individuals take up crucial positions in municipalities. "It is up to us to ensure we put forward competent comrades, with appropriate qualifications and competencies to become our public representatives," he said. Ramaphosa said the collapse of some municipalities and poor service delivery are related to what has been termed the political-administrative interface. He said this means that many of the issues at municipal level can be laid at the door of elected representatives and they must be proactive and resolute in addressing these issues. "Millions of people across the country depend on local government for crucial services and we must improve service delivery and maintenance of municipal infrastructure. Too many municipalities have collapsed, and our people have to deal with almost daily sewage spills, water restrictions, uncollected rubbish, potholes and inaccurate billing."
UNEMPLOYMENT AND JOB CREATION
The President said ANC leadership need to look critically at actions that have the greatest potential to drive growth and create jobs including investment in infrastructure, reducing regulatory burdens and promoting greater localisation of production. "Unemployment is the greatest challenge we are facing. It is only through getting people, especially young people, into jobs that we can significantly reduce poverty, advance social cohesion and stability, and realise the full potential of our economy." Ramaphosa said the ANC has a duty to mobilise social partners to increase employment and investment and deepen empowerment and transformation.
LOADSHEDING
On loadshedding, Ramaphosa said their duty as the ANC during this crucial period, were South Africans are understandably frustrated and concerned about the severity and persistence of rolling blackouts, is to reassure the people that they have a clear path to ease loadshedding over the next few months and ultimately achieve energy security. "ANC members and structures must also work with communities and law enforcement to bring criminals and crime syndicates operating around powerplants to book. The ANC and government must lead campaigns against illegal connections and promote steps that every South African can take to conserve energy." he added.
