[DEBATE] : (Fwd) 'New' ANC social policy just as neolib, chaotic as ever

[Patrick Bond]

(We know from Zuma's cow-towing to Citi/Merrill/Davos that nothing will 
change on the neoliberal macroeconomic front, and this will be confirmed 
by the economic report. But micro-neoliberalism is also here to stay, 
judging by the tone and content of the Social Transformation resolutions 
from Polokwane, just released. What is most important - and what must 
give Trevor Manuel relief - is what's *not* there: spending targets, 
delivery targets, overturning of neoliberal mechanisms, with the 
exception of pleasing wording on land. My frustrated, snarky remarks are 
inserted in [UPPERCASE] below.)


ANC 52ND NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2007 - RESOLUTIONS

SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION

Noting that,
1.South Africa has entered its second Decade of Freedom with the 
strengthening of democracy and the acceleration of the programme to 
improve the quality of life of all the people.
2.The Conference takes place after the release of the 10 year 
macro-social report, which among others, asserts [GOOD CHOICE OF VERB] 
the positive mood and confidence in the economy [JUST DON'T REMIND, THAT 
SOCIAL PROTESTS RECORDED BY THE SA POLICE WENT FROM AROUND 6000/YEAR IN 
2004-05 TO 10 000/YEAR EVER SINCE]
Further noting that,
3.In the context of our continued resolve to challenge underdevelopment 
and eradicate poverty, and, against the background of the huge 
investment in infrastructure and its attendant possibilities [SPORTS 
STADIA? GAUTRAIN? POWERPLANTS MAINLY FOR BIG CORPORATIONS?], the 
emphasis on quality education and health must be recognised. 
['INITIATED' WOULD BE A MORE ENCOURAGING WORD]
4.We are at the beginning [NO, 13.5 YEARS IS NOT THE BEGINNING] of a 
long journey to a truly united, democratic and prosperous South Africa, 
in which the value of all citizens is measured by their humanity, 
without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation and social status.
5.Whilst many families have access to social grants and other poverty 
alleviation programmes, many of these households and communities remain 
trapped in poverty, are dependent on the state [THIS IS THE GIVEAWAY 
PHRASE THAT THE COMMISSION OPINION-MAKERS ARE LOCKED WITHIN A NEOLIBERAL 
MINDSET] and thus unable to access the opportunities [WITH UNEMPLOYMENT 
HARDLY DENTED BY 4+% GDP GROWTH IN RECENT YEARS, THIS IS A 
BLAME-THE-VICTIM PHRASE] created by the positive economic climate.

Believing that,
6.Central to the task of social transformation is the role of the ANC in 
Government in confronting the challenges of poverty and underdevelopment.
7.At this conjuncture we can and must re-affirm our commitment to 
redress poverty and inequality.
8.We are building a developmental state and not a welfare state given 
that in welfare state, dependency is profound. [AGAIN, THE DEPENDENCY RUSE]
9.Our attack on poverty must seek to empower people to take themselves 
out of poverty [BLAME THE VICTIM, IF THEY REMAIN IN POVERTY], while 
creating adequate social nets to protect the most vulnerable [DEFINED BY 
MEANS-TESTING AND OTHER DIVIDE-AND-RULE TACTICS] in our society.
10.Beyond poverty alleviation, interventions must seek to develop exit 
programmes [THIS PHRASE HARKS BACK TO THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S 
WORKFARE POLICY] that capacitate households and communities to empower 
themselves. It is the duty of the developmental state to achieve this.
11.Education and health must be prioritised as the core elements of 
social transformation. [YET STATE SPENDING ON THESE HAS SHRUNK, AS A 
PORTION OF GDP, FOR SEVERAL YEARS]
12.Since Mafikeng and Stellenbosch, in the 13th year of our democracy, 
we are able to reflect on the transition from an inhumane society 
characterised by racism, division, inequality, injustice and subjugation 
to a society that is ostensibly caring, open and democratic, committed 
to the ethos of non-racialism, non-sexism and freedom.

Therefore recommend that,

ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND BROAD SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT,
13.We must reaffirm the Freedom Charter as a premise when discussing 
social transformation. [THE RDP HAS FAR MORE AMBITIOUS TARGETS ON 
EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE ECONOMY, SO IS NOT MENTIONED]
14.That a comprehensive social security net provides a targeted and 
impeccable [?] approach in eradicating poverty and unemployment. [STRONG 
RHETORIC HERE, BUT NOT MATCHED BY A POLICY MANDATE]
15.We develop a minimum common basis on all social security intervention 
programmes by all departments. [?]
16.Equalisation of opportunities, lifelong learning, economic 
opportunities for persons with disabilities.
17.Grants must not create dependency and thus must be linked to economic 
activity. [AGAIN COMES THE VERY DANGEROUS NEOLIB NOTION OF DEPENDENCY, A 
FAVOURITE BUDGET-CUTTING TECHNIQUE OF TREVOR MANUEL]
18.We must accelerate all our programmes in pursuit of the Millennium 
Development Goals. [MDGs ARE TERRIBLY WEAK AND VAGUE]
19.We must establish a mandatory system of retirement fund and establish 
a broad-based retirement fund that covers low-income groups. [A PROMISE 
MADE FOR AGES]
20.Strengthen collaboration between the departments of Education and 
Social Development and other related departments in the provision of 
Early Childhood Development (ECD).
21.Low cost retirement fund be created.
22.Child support grants be gradually extended to 18 years. [THAT WOULD 
BE EXCELLENT, BUT AT AROUND R200/MONTH THEY'RE STILL FAR TOO LOW]
23.Pensionable age must be equalised and be set at 60 years. [GOOD, IF 
VOLUNTARY]
24.Coordinated national drug campaign be intensified to fight substance 
abuse. [IS PRESENT CAMPAIGN THUS UNCOORDINATED?]

CHILDREN
Recommend,
25.The best interest of the child should be paramount, with child-headed 
households as priority for protection and care. [NO DETAILS?]
26.To prioritise the welfare of children and in this regard develop, 
monitor and measure tools that define and deal with child poverty. [HOW 
LONG WILL STUDYING THESE PROBLEMS TAKE, AND WHY ARE THERE NO RESEARCH 
'TOOLS' ALREADY?]
27.Strengthen the current safety nets that deal with child poverty, 
ongoing murders, disappearances, abuse and neglect. ['STRENGTHEN'? NO 
DETAILS?]
28.Strengthen childhood development centres and urge communities to 
understand and deal seriously with the rights of children. ['URGE'? NO 
DETAILS?]
29.Develop a comprehensive strategy on Early Childhood Development. 
[THERE'S NO STRATEGY YET?]
30.This conference sends a special message of condolences to all the 
families that have missing children and of those that were killed by 
adults who are meant to protect them.
31 The ANC abhors the circumstances under which these children died and 
commits to continue seeking justice to bring the perpetrators to book.

ON EDUCATION,
32.The overarching vision that informs ANC education policy is People's 
Education for People's Power.
33.Vulnerable children of veterans must be taken care of by the state. 
[JUST OF 'VETERANS'?]
34.Career guidance be a compulsory subject from grade 8 upwards. [FROM 
8?! THERE GO THE JOYS OF CHILDHOOD]
35.We must progressively expand the school nutrition programme to 
include high school learners in poorer communities. [WHAT ABOUT 
LOW-INCOME LEARNERS WHO ARE AT SCHOOL IN MIDDLE- AND UPPER-INCOME 
COMMUNITIES? WHY NOT A UNIVERSAL ENTITLEMENT TO GOOD FOOD AT SCHOOLS?]
36.National norms and standards to be developed to determine the roles, 
functions and responsibilities of district offices. [NO NORMS/STANDARDS 
AT PRESENT?]
37.Norms and standards should be developed to classify schools, given 
the variation of school types in provinces. [SO AS TO EXACERBATE 
VARIATION AND DIFFERENCE?]
38.A policy on affirmative measures for HDIs with specific emphasis on 
infrastructure, access and staff provisioning [NO DETAILS?]
39.The duality of public servants elected as councilors undermines both 
or either of the two with regards to efficiency and this must be reviewed.
40.To affirm that all principals should undertake a leadership, 
management and governance course
41.To review Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) so as to ensure 
that it better responds to the skills demand.
42.The establishment of a national education evaluation and development 
unit for purposes of monitoring, evaluation and support.
43.The no fee schools be expanded to 60% by 2009. [AN IMPROVEMENT, BUT 
IS IT SUFFICIENT? WHAT ABOUT DEMAND FOR FREE EDUCATION, PAID FOR BY MUCH 
MORE PROGRESSIVE TAXATION/FEE SYSTEM?]
44.Progressively introduce free education for the poor until 
undergraduate level. [NO DETAILS? TIMEFRAME? COVERAGE? JUST A VAGUE 
PROMISE?]
45.The ANC to focus rigorously on the quality of education. [ABOUT TIME 
- NO DETAILS ON WHY QUALITY IS SO ATROCIOUS?]
46.Education must be prioritised as one of the most important programmes 
for the next five years. [DETAILS? IT IS ALREADY THE LARGEST BUDGET ITEM]
47.Maths, science and IT must be promoted and supported, including 
through Saturday tutorial programmes and bursaries be offered to 
teachers in this areas. [AND GRAMMAR BE TAUGHT TO EDUCATION POLICY DRAFTERS]
48.New curriculum must be accompanied with skills development of teachers.
49.Building of schools to replace mud schools must be included in the 
Expanded Public Works (EPW) programme. [ARE MUD SCHOOLS PRESENTLY NOT 
SLATED FOR REPLACEMENT?]
50.We should recruit from foreign countries on scare skills such as 
maths and science. [REVEALING ADJECTIVE TYPO, BUT IF ZIMBABWE IS LOOTED 
FOR ITS TEACHERS, AS IS PRESENTLY THE CASE, WHAT DEBT DOES SA OWE THE 
ZIMBABWEAN PEOPLE?]
51.The NEC should critically consider the outcomes of the recently held 
education summit with a view to implementing the proposals that emerged.

ON HEALTH,
52.Education and health should be the two key priorities of the ANC for 
the next years.
53.Reaffirm the implementation of the National Health Insurance System 
by further strengthening the public health care system and ensuring 
adequate provision of funding. [BUT THIS STRATEGY IS UNDERMINED, IF 
NOTHING IS SAID ABOUT PRIVATE SECTOR HEALTH FINANCING, WHICH DRAINS 80% 
OF SECTOR FUNDING]
54.To develop a reliable single health information system.
55.Government should intervene in the high cost of health provision. 
[DETAILS?]
56.There should be health cover for Veterans of the struggle. [ONLY FOR 
VETS?]
57.We should develop a recruitment and Human Resource Development 
strategy for health professionals.
58.Develop an MoU with foreign countries on the exodus of health 
professionals. [INCLUDING ZIMBABWE AND OTHER COUNTRIES SA IS LOOTING 
PROFESSIONALS FROM?]
59.The ANC should further consider the matter of making HIV and AIDS 
notifiable. In this regard a distinction should be made between the two 
as these are two conditions. In doing this, the ANC should also consider 
the negative implications of this recommendation, such as stigma. [WHAT 
DOES ANC'S MAIN HEALTH ACTIVIST CONSTITUENCY, TAC, SAY ABOUT THIS?!]
60.We accelerate the roll-out of the comprehensive health care 
programme, such as through the provision of ARV at all health 
facilities. At the same time we should strengthen capacity to monitor 
the side-effects of ARV. [A SOP TO THE DISSIDENTS/DENIALISTS?]
61.We accelerate programmes for hospital revitalisation including 
through innovative solutions that accommodate partnerships.
62.We intensify our efforts to create an environment that promotes 
positive individual behaviour in our communities, especially amongst 
young people.
63.There will be no need to adopt a special HIV and AIDS grant as this 
will be catered for by the comprehensive social security system. [IS IT? 
IF PEOPLE'S CD4 COUNT RISES ABOVE 200, THEY LOSE DISABLED STATUS]
64.The ANC should explore the possibility of a state-owned 
pharmaceutical company that will respond to and intervene in the curbing 
of medicine prices. ['EXPLORE POSSIBILITY'? AFTER ALL THE EVIDENCE OF 
PRICE-GAUGING?]
65.More resources be allocated to programmes on sexual awareness. ANC 
branches must be actively involved in these programmes.
66.Introduce a policy on African traditional medicine.
67.Caution should be exercised when deciding on PPPs as a solution for 
the delivery of health services. [WHY JUST 'CAUTION'?]
68.Diseases such as TB and cancer should be given special attention. 
[WHERE ARE HIGH KILLERS LIKE DIARRHOEA AND HEART DISEASE?]

ON HOUSING,
69.There should be housing cover for Veterans of the struggle. [WHY IS 
THIS THE FIRST POINT, GIVEN HOW FEW FORMAL ANC/PAC VETERANS THERE ARE?]
70.Interventions in the housing industry and residential property market 
to curb the spiraling cost of construction input prices - including the 
cost of material development and supply. [DETAILS?]
71.We develop appropriate legislation to prevent the mushrooming of 
informal settlements. [LIKE KZN'S FEROCIOUS LAW? THIS IS A RECIPE FOR 
NEXT-GENERATION FORCED REMOVALS]
72.Provision of housing needs should include alternative housing such as 
rental stock. [LONG OVERDUE]
73.We adopt a central planning approach for directing resource 
allocation, distribution and overall coordinated response to human 
settlements. [LONG OVERDUE]
74.We restructure the funding mechanism and consolidate all 
housing-related grants and funding streams.
75.In order to deal effectively with the challenges of human 
settlements, land acquisition be accelerated through a dedicated Housing 
Development Agency. [SINCE SO MUCH AVAILABLE LAND IS MUNICIPAL-OWNED IN 
BUFFER ZONES, THIS COULD SLOW DELIVERY DOWN DRAMATICALLY]
76.A once-off [IT'LL TAKE MORE THAN ONCE TO MAKE AN IMPACT] injection of 
resources and an extraordinary effort be considered for fast-tracking 
delivery of housing to make a visible impact on poverty.
77.Government considers assisting people with building material to 
encourage self involvement in the provision of housing needs. This will 
respond to specific conditions that prevail in rural areas, for example. 
[DO-IT-YOURSELF LABOUR IS ATTRACTIVE BUT IS ALSO USED TO SHIRK STATE 
RESPONSIBILITY]

ON LAND AND AGRICULTURE,
78.The state must, with immediate effect, regulate [MEANING?] but not 
prohibit ownership of land by non-South Africans. This regulation should 
take into account the country's commitment to land reform [IS THERE A 
COMMITMENT?], restitution, redistribution and access to land.
79.The state and mandated entities must exercise their legal right to 
expropriate property in the public interest for public purpose. 
Compensation shall be awarded in accordance with the constitution with 
special emphasis on equity, redress and social justice. All legislation 
pertaining to expropriation must be aligned with the constitution.
80.We should discard the market-driven land reform and immediately 
review the principle of willing-seller, willing-buyer so as to 
accelerate equitable distribution of land. [THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE 
BEEN DISCARDED IN 2006!]
81.Review the adequacy of post-settlement support in all land reform 
programmes.
82.The management and control of state land must be under one department.
83.We reaffirm the 51st Conference resolution on a land audit and 
resolve that it should be conducted within the next 18 months.
84.The allocation of customary land be democratised and should not only 
be the preserve of the traditional leaders.
85.That redundant land belonging to SOEs and municipalities be 
transferred for low cost housing.

ON BUILDING SOCIAL COHESION THROUGH HERITAGE, ARTS AND CULTURE, SPORTS 
AND RECREATION,
86.Government should integrate Ubuntu principles into public policy so 
as to comprehensively correct the distortions and imbalances not only in 
our heritage landscape but also in our social, economic and industrial 
relations.
87.Move away from conservation language to development.
88.We develop a policy that clarifies the ANC's approach to the naming 
and renaming of geographic places such as streets, towns and public 
facilities. These guidelines should include principles such as the need 
to change offensive names representing colonial conquest and apartheid 
statehood, the need to restore the proud heritage of the indigeneuous 
people, the need to accommodate diversity in our national heritage and 
the need to have an inclusive and democratic process, the need to 
honour, in a non sectarian manner South Africans who have made a 
sterling contribution to the dawn of democracy and freedom, the need to 
recognise distinguished men and women in the international community and 
in Africa, who have contributed immensely to the struggle for freedom. 
Political education will be critical in educating our people about the 
naming and renaming discourse.
89.Local government must provide funding for arts and culture.
90.Tourism levy should also benefit our heritage.
91.Indigenous languages be promoted at all schools with an intention 
that learners be taught in their mother tongue.
92.Affirm the 51st Conference resolution on the establishment of the 
sports desk at the ANC Head Quarters.
93.One emblem for all sports national teams be adopted.
94.All schools must offer a minimum bouquet of extra mural, mass 
participation in sport activities.
95.Physical education must be offered as a compulsory subject for 
learners grade 0-12.
96.Mass participation, physical activity and sport programmes must 
prioritise the involvement of girls, women and people with disability 
with a view to promoting equity.
97.Funding currently under MIG, which is aimed at sports facilities, 
should be diverted to the departments of Sports and Recreation and 
Education.
98.The ANC must ensure that the country's investments in 2010 should 
result in a lasting legacy for our communities and our people.
99.We review the ANC's draft cultural policy.
[NOTHING ON FUNDING, WHICH HAS BECOME A CRUCIAL CONSTRAINT]

ON WATER, FORESTRY AND SANITATION,
100.Water allocation reform and the allocation of water licenses to 
historically disadvantaged persons must be reviewed with regards to 
water rights and should occur as part of the land reform programme.
101.Transformation plan for the forestry sector should be developed.
102.Increase the infrastructure construction timelines to allow more 
labour intensive construction.
103.Water resources management must be integral when planning 
municipalities.
[NOTHING ON THE VARIETY OF WATER CRISES AFFECTING ORDINARY ANC MEMBERS: 
INADEQUATE FREE ALLOTMENT, PREPAID METERS, DISCONNECTIONS DUE TO 
UNAFFORDABILITY, INADEQUATE STANDARDS FOR WATER/SANITATION, ONGOING 
PROBLEM OF BUCKET SYSTEM, LACK OF ROLL-OUT TO LARGE SECTIONS, DIVERSION 
TO MEGAPROJECTS AND COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE, DISPLACEMENT DUE TO DAM 
CONSTRUCTION, ETC ETC]

ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT,
104.Immediate implementation of sports desks as per the previous 
conference resolution.
105.A National Youth Development Agency that will ensure seamless 
integration, sustainability and responsiveness to the demands and 
aspirations of South Africa's youth is established through the merger of 
the National Youth Commission and Umsobomvu. This should be effected 
during the course of 2008.
106.As per the ANC NGC's adoption of the Integrated Youth Development 
Strategy, that this be made government policy to be implemented by the 
National Youth Development Agency.
107.Massify the National Youth Service Programme and that this must be 
adopted as government policy.
108.The government should engage the private sector to contribute 
towards the National Youth Service Programme.

ON WOMEN ISSUES,
109.In considering the matter of establishing Women Ministry, the 
commission recommends that a thorough assessment be undertaken by the 
ANC to analyse current instruments and their relevance, strategies and 
areas of focus and programmes on matters of women and the impact these 
programmes made. These assessments should then advise on comprehensive 
recommendations on the form and content of whatever institutional 
mechanisms to be put in place in pursuit of women emancipation and 
broadly addressing gender matters. [WHY NOT ADDRESS REGRESSION IN 
PROGRAMMES SUCH AS THE WOMEN'S BUDGET?]

MK VETERANS
110.All government departments must adopt programmes that are directed 
at reintegrating ex-combatants into society and provision of health 
insurance should also be addressed.