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18 December 2009

Statement of the Presidency of South African National Civic Organisation.

The South African National Civic Organisation applauds the support of its membership and the level of discipline displayed throughout this difficult year in our calendar.

The level of restraint during the protest marches and on the recent public spats within our alliance is an indication of the high level of consciousness of our membership. The continuous display of this maturity is encouraged and supported. We believe that our alliance partners will rise to the challenge and deal with their contentious matters in a comradely manner for the sake of the national democratic revolution. Let political sanity prevail in our political engagement and emerge as a ruling alliance conscious of the needs of our people which we stand for.

Coming from our historic national conference in Durban a year back from today, the 18th of December 2008, where the organisation’s soul was redeemed, we embarked on torturous election campaign in which we pledged our total support to the ANC for its progressive election manifesto. The victory of the African National Congress is therefore also our victory in the past provincial and national elections.

We support the new administration that has been put in place by President Zuma after the 2009 national and provincial elections. This administration requires the support of all our members to be able to improve our lives. This administration has shown all signs that it wants to be responsive to the people. The recent appreciable attention to the plight of our committed national defence force bears proof. It is only with our support that the present administration will be able to deal with the challenges we face at local level.

We however want to indicate that some of the challenges are the legacy of apartheid and the bantustan rule. They will require much time, effort and commitment from all sides to eradicate. We should however be able to isolate such challenges from mediocre inefficiency and corruption related to non delivery of services. Working together in concert, we will progressively address these challenges. Let us utilise all progressive structures in our communities to implement progressive plans that will improve our livelihoods.

We call upon our communities in all provinces, no matter how provoked by counter revolutionary forces, to desist engaging in unnecessary, unproductive and destructive marches. It has become fashionable to committed opportunists internal/external of our movement to keep themselves busy by mobilising unconscious communities to march and make unrealistic demands. It is our government and it needs our continued support.

As we entered the festive season, we request and urge our members and their communities to attend to a number of issues. The following are some but not limited to:

  1. ensure that all children received their school reports. It is illegal to withhold a child’s school report irrespective of any reason.

  2. ensure that children are registered for schooling next year (2010).

  3. ensure that children will receive the necessary stationery next year.

  4. ensure that scholar transport and school nutrition logistics are in place for next year.

  5. work together with alliance to establish credible street committees to combat crime within our communities.

  6. encourage and promote safe driving to reduce road carnage on our roads.

  7. discourage abuse of alcohol and drugs in our communities, especially our youth.

  8. watch out and report corruption and fraud as it happens.

  9. combat the scourge of HIV/AIDS pandemic.

  10. fight against women and child abuse continuously.

  11. support and involve people living with disabilities.

  12. support and care for the elderly within our families and communities.

  13. ensure that our health centres are responsive to the needs of our people.

  14. assist the police to keep our communities safe and secured.

Our collective wisdom and action in concert will emancipate us into a better life. As SANCO, we believe that attention to the above will enhance the better life we strive for. The following year shall be for intensive and extensive mass mobilisation and progressive activism in our communities. The cooperation we had with alliance partners is bearing fruit although steadily.

May all our members as well as the membership of our allies, the African National Congress, South African Communist Party and the Congress of South African Trade Unions have peaceful, restful and joyous Christmas break and a prosperous new 2010 during which Bafanabafana will make us keep the World Cup trophy.

Issued by The Presidency

L.B. Mashile

Deputy President (0825569010)

 

N.R. Bhengu

President (0785493553)

South African National Civic Organisation