STATEMENT OF THE ANC ON THE LEKGOTLA INTRODUCTION The ANC held its annual PEC Lekgotla on the 17 – 18 February 2014. PURPOSE OF LEKGOTLA The Lekgotla is convened annually in order to take stock of the progress we have made thus far, and to plan for the year ahead. This Lekgotla is taking place during a period when we are preparing for the general elections and to usher in a new provincial government administration. The Lekgotla is unanimous that indeed the ANC –led government has made tremendous progress in delivering services to our people, and we acknowledge that more still needs to be done. As indicated by the reports presented at the Lekgotla, the majority of our people have access to basic services throughout the province and this can be broken down as follows: • 82.4% of households reside in formal structures; • 82% of households use electricity; • 93.6% of households have access to clean running water in their dwellings; • 79.9% have access to basic sanitation. This is without a shadow of doubt an indication of a government that is committed to respond to the needs of all its people, irrespective of where they are. COMMISSIONS The Lekgotla took time to reflect on a number of areas in relation to party political work as well as governance responsibilities. There were four commissions that focused on Social transformation, Economic transformation, Legislature and Governance as well as organisational development and elections. 1. SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION We have noted the progress made in relation to the matric results; our fight against crime, noting the areas that still need attention such as rape and abuse of women and children; health infrastructure roll-out, as well as the strides that we are making and the plans we have put in place in relation to addressing the shortage of Doctors and Nurses. 2. ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION We take note of the progress we have made in creating a conducive environment for development of the provincial economy in the agriculture, mining, tourism and Finance sectors. More still needs to be done to develop an industrial policy that will help us guide and direct the industrialisation of the different sectors of the economy in the province. The Lekgotla has resolved that a planning commission must be established by September this year. And the economic cluster needs a serious overhaul, so as to drive the economic agenda of the province with aggression and urgency. 3. ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ELECTIONS We noted that the broad alliance movement is facing certain challenges, but the movement is always ready to deal with these challenges head-on. The strength of the ANC-led Alliance, has always been that it does not shy away from engaging with problems in order to address and resolve them accordingly. We are 100% prepared at all levels to contest the up-coming elections , with a 70% victory in sight. Our volunteer corps are on the ground on a daily basis. We have set up structures in all our 32 municipal areas, with coordinators in every street. The elections machinery at regional and provincial levels are operating at a maximum level with an intense focus of attaining and overwhelming victory of 70 %. 4. LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNANCE We have noted deficiencies that exist at both the provincial and local spheres of government that need urgent attention. With the list process finalised, we have identified a good number of tried and tested cadres to represent the ANC at National and Provincial Legislature levels. We have decided to ensure that we strengthen our presence at levels of government, in both the Executive and the Legislature. But this process will be cascaded to provincial and local government levels, in both the administration and the political spheres. The ANC is serious about holding our public representatives accountable, for rendering services to our people, wherever they may be or whoever they are. CONCLUSION The ANC is confident that, together with South Africans in general and the people of the province in particular, we will move our country forward.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 12:17:13 +0000