ANC POLITICAL EDUCATION KICK-STARTS WITH ANC DEPLOYEES OF THE 6TH PARLIAMENT
OR Tambo School of Leadership facilitates workshops intended to empower ANC Deployees To Deliver Activist Parliaments and Deepen The Renewal Agenda
The ANC’s political school, OR Tambo School of Leadership, concluded a successful three-day induction workshop of ANC’s MPs from 21 to 23 June 2019. This first leg of workshops intended to be rolled out across provincial legislatures is designed to deepen understanding of the ANC’s intend as it sets out to advocate for Activist Parliaments in the context of the Agenda of Renewal.
Principal of the OR Tambo School, David Masondo, emphasised that performance of the 6th Administration will be measured on the extent the ANC, as ruling party, delivers on its mandate and key priorities. “Members of Parliament and Members of Provincial Legislatures, as representatives of the people, are at the core of this assignment and are key in drafting and passing laws and driving implementation of the mandate and key priorities.” explains Masondo.
He further adds that “The ANC has the responsibility to ensure that its deployees are equipped with the necessary values, ethics, information, knowledge and skills. More importantly, the deployees must understand that Parliament is an organ of people’s power, and that the ANC has to reach people through Parliament in order to advance the national democratic goals.”
In this regard, the ANC is expected to deliberately lead in creating Activist Parliaments – meaning a Parliament that actively puts the interests and aspirations of its people first in how it carries out its constitutional responsibilities. A Parliament which is representative of the will of the people and accountable to the citizens it represents.
The ANC Parliament Induction Programme differs from the Parliamentary version as it is intended to deepen understanding of ANC programmes and resolutions as well as explore the practical application of these in an Activist Parliament. This in turn informed contents of the workshop as it relates to the workings of Parliament as well as its culture and processes.
President Cyril Ramaphosa opened the workshop with a political overview which contextualised the imperatives which necessitated the induction workshop.
Other speakers at the workshop included Justice Albie Sachs who unpacked workings of the Constitution and its historical path, Joel Netshitenzhe who focused on the relationship between the state, the party and the ANC’s expectations of its public representatives. Nathi Mthethwa dealt with ANC Strategy and Tactics whilst Barbara Creecy focused on the ANC Elections Manifesto and Jesse Duarte’s topic was Gender Transformation. Amos Masondo and Lechesa Tsenoli crystalised thinking about what an Activist Parliament means in practical terms.
Former ANC Chief Whip, Jackson Mthembu reflected on experiences and lessons from the 5th democratic Parliament whilst Penny Majodina and Doris Dlakude explained the expectations in study groups, committees, plenary and constituency work. JP Louw dealt with Communication Tactics with a focus on tools ANC deployees in Parliament must start exploring in effort to improve accessibility and participation.
“The process of finding solutions and curing ANC self-identified challenges will be continuous and not a once off event. Accordingly, in pursuit of finding solutions towards self-discovery and self-correction and to contribute to the ANC renewal programme, this Induction Programme has been identified as an opportunity that can be used to support this process. It is for this reason that the OR Tambo School of Leadership was tasked with developing and conducting an ANC Induction Programme.” Explained David Masondo.
ANC Secretary General, Ace Magashule delivered the closing address where he re-emphasised the need for ANC deployees in Parliament to internalise issues discussed at the workshop and align themselves to the vision of an activist Parliament.
Issued by OR Tambo School of Leadership
For Any Interviews Or Enquiries Contact:
JP Louw
M: 066 056 0911
E: jplouw@thero.co.za
Alternatively
Anelisa Sandi
M: 066 237 0576
E: anelisas@ortamboschool.org.za
