Speech by Hon. J.G. Zuma President of the African National Congress at the ANC 105 Birthday celebrations The tasks of the Movement are founded on the desire to unite the people of South Africa, unite our Movement and ensure that we work together for a better life for all. • Every member, branch and structure must focus on building the African National Congress. • Our strength lies in solidarity with the aspirations of the people. We call on all ANC members, structures and the Alliance partners to work together and build unity at local, regional, provincial and national levels. We specifically call on all leaders of structures to foster greater unity by ensuring greater inclusivity and engaging with a wide cross-section of people and organisations within society. • The Movement must work to unite communities around the strategic objectives of the NDR. We call on our members to organise and participate in discussions on how to build a common South African identity and to develop campaigns to strengthen national solidarity. • We repeat that we expect our branches and structures to lead campaigns on non-racialism, eradicating patriarchy and all forms of sexism and other campaigns that promote progressive values in society. The ANC commits to working with all progressive forces in these campaigns. • The ANC is the people’s movement and we must lead a concerted drive throughout the country to recruit new members and to bring former supporters and activists back to the structures of the Movement. In this regard, we call on ANC members to be decisive and stamp out gatekeeping, buying of members and manipulation of internal democratic processes. • Members of the ANC are called upon to be exemplary in their conduct and lifestyle. We expect our cadres to emulate Comrade OR Tambo and live a life of humility, integrity and selfless service to the people. • We shall be embarking on a process of policy review and the ANC calls on its structures to spread the message of the ANC widely and to encourage discussion about ANC policy proposals within their communities. The leadership of the ANC must ensure that these discussions encompass all sectors of society. • The 54th National Conference will take place in December 2017 and we encourage members and structures to prepare thoroughly for the Conference. There must be consensus on the policies and programmes that the Movement must pursue during the next five years. These policies must inform the discussion about leadership. We therefore expect that ANC members will firstly conclude in-depth discussions about the principles that qualify comrades for leadership. There must be • Our strength lies in solidarity with the aspirations of the people. We call on all ANC members, structures and the Alliance partners to work together and build unity at local, regional, provincial and national levels. We specifically call on all leaders of structures to foster greater unity by ensuring greater inclusivity and engaging with a wide cross-section of people and organisations within society. • The Movement must work to unite communities around the strategic objectives of the NDR. We call on our members to organise and participate in discussions on how to build a common South African identity and to develop campaigns to strengthen national solidarity. • We repeat that we expect our branches and structures to lead campaigns on non-racialism, eradicating patriarchy and all forms of sexism and other campaigns that promote progressive values in society. The ANC commits to working with all progressive forces in these campaigns. • The ANC is the people’s movement and we must lead a concerted drive throughout the country to recruit new members and to bring former supporters and activists back to the structures of the Movement. In this regard, we call on ANC members to be decisive and stamp out gatekeeping, buying of members and manipulation of internal democratic processes. • Members of the ANC are called upon to be exemplary in their conduct and lifestyle. We expect our cadres to emulate Comrade OR Tambo and live a life of humility, integrity and selfless service to the people. • We shall be embarking on a process of policy review and the ANC calls on its structures to spread the message of the ANC widely and to encourage discussion about ANC policy proposals within their communities. The leadership of the ANC must ensure that these discussions encompass all sectors of society. • The 54th National Conference will take place in December 2017 and we encourage members and structures to prepare thoroughly for the Conference. There must be consensus on the policies and programmes that the Movement must pursue during the next five years. These policies must inform the discussion about leadership. We therefore expect that ANC members will firstly conclude in-depth discussions about the principles that qualify comrades for leadership. There must be agreement about these principles before comrades begin discussions about the names of specific leaders. • We expect our government to do the following: - - Give effect to President Tambo’s vision for the nation and create a society that is prosperous. We must focus on radical economic transformation. The economy must be in the hands of the majority of the people. We must return the land to the people. We must put more resources into education and, in particular, higher education and training. ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS The ANC presents the achievement awards to structures and ANC councils in recognition of excellent performance and best practice in serving the people. We are pleased to announce the winners of the ANC Achievement Awards for 2017: • The Sol Plaatje Award, conferred on the best performing ANC branch, goes to the Nelson Mandela branch, Bohlabela region, Mpumalanga. The runner-up is Ward 19, Eddy Ngwanaengbranch, Dr Ruth Mompati region, North West. • The Charlotte Maxeke Award, conferred on the best performing ANC Women`s League branch, goes to the Moses Kotane branch, Bojanala region, North West. • The Anton Lembede Award, conferred on the best performing ANC Youth League branch, goes to the Lillian Ngoyi branch, Lejweleputswa region, Free State. • The ZK Matthews Award, conferred on the best performing group of ANC councillors goes to the ANC councillors of the Nkangala District Municipality, Mpumalanga. The runner-up is Lejweleputswa District Municipality, Free State We congratulate the recipients of these awards. OBITUARIES: The ANC wishes to honour the spirit and unwavering courage of those comrades who passed away during 2016. We pledge to honour their dedication and selfless service. COMRADES: Hermanus Loots (James Stuart), Habakuk Shikwane, Jules Browde, Don Mkhwanazi, Phyllis Ntantala-Jordan, Makhenkesi Stofile, Mewa Ramgobin, William Mlamli(Ngalitye) Ondala, Riot Mkhwanazi, Beata Lipman, Dumisani Mazolo Mafu, Reverend Simon Gqubule, Ouma Tsopo, Rok Ajulu and many others. As we close, we must once again pay special tribute to a man from humble beginnings, hailing from beyond the Engeli Mountains. The son of Kaizana, one of the architects of a democratic South Africa whose life was cut short on the eve of our freedom. Comrade Oliver Tambo was resolute that all our actions must be inspired exclusively by a desire to serve the people. The principles, practices and style of leadership of Comrade OR enabled the ANC to emerge as the vehicle through which we achieved the democratic breakthrough of 1994. We must continue to honour Comrade Tambo and earn our position as leader of society. A strong, vibrant, principled and united ANC remains best placed to advance the National Democratic Revolution. Let us build and deepen unity. We must make sure that the people’s cause continues to triumph! THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DECLARES THIS THE YEAR OF OLIVER REGINALD TAMBO: LET US DEEPEN UNITY! The ANC Lives! The ANC Leads!