Cosatu message of support to the ANC on the occasion of the 96th Anniversary 12-01-08

 

COSATU Message of support to the ANC on the occasion of the 96th Anniversary

COSATU joins millions of fellow South Africans to congratulate the ANC on its 96th Anniversary. Today not only marks an important milestone in the history of the ANC, it is also a notch towards the centenary anniversary of the ANC in 2012. The ANC is not only the first and oldest liberation movement on the African continent; it has also led a heroic and victorious struggle against colonial oppression and one of the worst racial tyrannies. Indeed, we are proud to be associated with this gigantic movement that has led our people for more than 90 years.

The formation of the ANC in 1912 ushered in a new era in the struggle against colonial and racial oppression. It gave fresh hope to our people after they fought heroic battles against the invading white settlers. It emerged at a time of the consolidation of white minority rule, which marginalised the majority of the black people. In that regard the ANC was both an embodiment of centuries of long struggles against white domination and a fresh chapter in the history of resistance politics in South Africa. As we mark this important milestone we must recall the sacrifices made by many of our people to get us where we are today.

The 96th anniversary takes place at important juncture in the history of the ANC, not least because of the historic 52nd national conference. It also comes at time when the ANC has been the leading party in our society for the past 13 years. So far, the ANC retains mass support among the electorate because of its proud history and experience in government. The aspirations of our people rest on the shoulders of the ANC and it’s a mission we dare not fail.

The ANC has emerged from its successful 52nd national conference and our people expect that it will accelerate efforts to eradicate the last vestiges of apartheid colonialism. These expectations are legitimate, for our struggle is far from complete. We committed ourselves and promised that ours is a thoroughgoing revolutionary process to uproot the very basis of colonial oppression and racial domination.

The foundation for a free, democratic, non-racial and non-sexist society has been laid but we are still far from realising this goal. As such the struggle continues and the ANC still has a revolutionary duty to unify our people for the attainment of the Freedom Charter’s vision. The fact that the ANC is a governing party must not blind us to the necessity for a liberation movement to lead and mobilise our people for the realisation of the objectives of our revolution.

We congratulate the newly elected NEC and NWC and wish them well in their endeavour to lead the ANC and implement the Polokwane Programme.

We come from a period that saw deep divisions within the alliance and of necessity it is a priority to go to the root causes that led to such divisions. COSATU has committed itself to the alliance and remains open to constructive engagement to strengthen and unify the alliance. In that respect we look forward to the Alliance Summit in the coming months as mooted by the former General Secretary.

The summit must help us to synergise the resolutions emanating from our various policy forums including the recent ANC Conference. We must consolidate areas of convergence and tackle areas of differences, in order to emerge with an alliance programme for transformation. In that regard we are encouraged by the 52nd Conference, which provide a useful starting point to bridge the gap that has emerged within the alliance.

Furthermore, we are confronted with the challenge of sustaining the unity of the mass democratic movement to ensure mass participation in the unfolding process of change. The alliance and the mass democratic movement, combined with the democratic state, are important weapons in the revolutionary change process. We must spare no effort to resolve the challenges that have faced the alliance and the mass democratic movement.

The centenary celebrations in 2012 should find us as a more vibrant and united movement. To that end we must attend to the task of building strong organisations, starting with our branches up to the national level. We must strengthen all our mass organisations to pursue the all-important task of mobilising our people.

South Africa is a better country due largely to the effort of our democratic movement and the decisive victory against apartheid. Yet we are still at the beginning of an ongoing process of change, building on the foundation laid in the past thirteen years. While we have much to celebrate we cannot rest on our laurels, as inequality is rising, bringing into sharp relief the task confronting our revolution.

In this regard we must learn from many post-revolutionary societies to avoid the danger of our revolution being still-born. We must interrogate all our policies to test their contribution to the task of transformation and to address unemployment, poverty and inequality. Needless to say, we have to point out that we have a lot to accomplish before we can proclaim ours as an inclusive and egalitarian society.

COSATU further welcomes the NEC pronouncements on the NPA charges against the President, Comrade Jacob Zuma. Our position on the matter is well known and we encourage our members to support the stance taken by the NEC by debating steps that we should all take in defence of our constitution and the legitimacy of our judicial system. While we understand and appreciate the deep-seated anger within our ranks about this matter we call upon our members to remain calm and disciplined during this period.

We wish the ANC all the success and offer our enduring support to help achieve the goals of our revolution.

Patrick Craven (National Spokesperson)