Statement of the ANC Caucus Meeting
1 September 2006
On Thursday, 31 August 2006 the Parliamentary Caucus of the African National Congress held a regular Caucus meeting. Members of the Caucus also participated in a two day political education school on Thursday, 31 August and Friday, 1 September.
Caucus wished President Thabo Mbeki a speedy recovery from the indisposition he suffered recently as a result of influenza.
The meeting received a briefing from Cde. Pallo Jordan, Minister of Arts and Culture, on the renaming of Johannesburg International Airport to OR Tambo International Airport. The announcement was welcomed by acclaim.
Caucus also received a briefings on the Firearms Control Amendment Bill from its Study Group on Safety and Security and the Health Professions Amendment Bill from its Study Group on Health. Caucus discussed these briefings and made a number of suggestions to the respective Study Groups.
On the first day of the political education school inputs were made by Cde. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Deputy President of the Republic and Cde. Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele, Deputy Secretary General of the ANC on: ASGISA, Emancipation of Women and the National Democratic Revolution.
On the second day of the school Cde. Joel Netshitenzhe, a member of the ANC NEC, presented an input on: Contextual Considerations in Addressing Challenges of Leadership.
Members of Caucus engaged in extensive and lively discussion on these inputs.
We reject unanimously - recent mischievous and misleading reports that mistake vibrant discussion for division within the Caucus. Caucus expressed undivided support for the national leadership of the ANC, led by President Thabo Mbeki.
We express our full support for the leadership of the ANC as we pursue of the objective of creating a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous nation, and reiterated its commitment to working for a better life for all South Africa's people.
We reject these reports as a diversion from the real challenge of improving the lives of our people through implementing the overwhelming mandate given to the ANC by the people of South Africa for the programmes contained in our election manifesto.
Contact: Mpho Lekgoro (ANC Caucus Spokesperson) 082 413 4908
