THE ANC is looking into how to respond to the needs of South Africans facing rising cost of living, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday following the party’s three-day national executive committee meeting.
Food and fuel prices have skyrocketed in recent months, leaving many unable to afford the basics.
“Rising cost of living causing hardships for millions of South Africans. Like many countries around the world, we are feeling economic aftershocks of COVID-19. Over 40% life circumstances of South Africans are living in poverty,” Ramaphosa said.
The party commissioned a research conducted through an independent agency to look at the impact of costs of living.
Ramaphosa said NEC noted interventions initiated by government to mitigate the impacts and provide relief.
“The interventions include the extension of social relief of disaster grant up until March 2024, temporary relief of fuel prices, continuation of VAT zero ratings on key food items, consolidation of security and protection system with 18 million people receiving social grants.”
He said the meeting reaffirmed a commitment to tacking poverty, unemployment and inequalities.
Government will intensify efforts to transform the economy so that more jobs are created through the implementation of reconstruction and recovery plan.
Ramaphosa said the upcoming Alliance Economic Summit will cement common positions on economic transformation and development.
He said the party also discussed coalitions at a local government level.
He said thier experience showed that they tend to contribute to instability in municipal councils.
“Our previous and more recent experience with coalitions showed that they tend to contribute to instability in councils. The ANC NEC reaffirmed its principled approach towards a coalition government.”
“This is based on the need to advance the achievement of our manifesto commitments, particularly to build local democracy and service delivery and improve accountability to citizens.”
55th National Conference readiness
He said the party top leaders will need to report to delegates on the implementation of the mandate that were given five years ago at the 54th National Conference in 2017.
“Our report will reflect that while this NEC has had to confront serious challenges, we can point to several achievements and progress in various areas.
“At the same time, we will need to acknowledge our shortcomings and failings,” he said calling for Political and Organisational Reports that are frank, critical and comprehensive to enable delegates next month to develop a programme for a new phase of renewal and rebuilding.
Out of all Presidential hopefuls, the party electoral committee said its only Dr.Dlamini-Zuma who has written to the ANC on the requirements for candidates to declare sources of funding.
Acting Secretary-General Paul Mashatile is expected to brief media on the outcomes of the NEC meeting on Monday.
INSIDE POLITICS
