African National Congress secretary general Gwede Mantashe says the party’s national executive council has reaffirmed wealth redistribution in favour of the poor and the historically disadvantaged in South Africa as both a moral and economic imperative.
Addressing a briefing on the outcomes of the ANC National Executive Committee’s Lekgotla held in Pretoria between 25-27 January on Wednesday‚ Mantashe said the NEC took a decision that there must be a review of all trade agreements entered into by the democratic government since 1999.
“Economic marginalisation and inequality perpetuate the notion of a superior race and an ingrained system of domination‚” Mantashe was quoted as saying by the ANC via its Twitter information feed.
“Institutions that have been set up to restore dignity of our people and protect our democracy must be utilised.”
Mantashe further said the NEC had deliberated on the recent emergence of racism and “what seems to be racist individuals becoming more emboldened in society”.
“The Political Report was emphatic on the need for the ANC and society to confront and defeat racism wherever it occurs‚” he said.
“We must respond to the frustration of the black majority who believe their attempts at reconciliation and nation building are rejected.”
Mantashe said ANC has instituted applications in the Equity Court against individuals who have been at forefront of perpetuating racial conflict‚ and called on South Africans to defend democracy‚ reject racism and build a non-racial and non-sexist society.
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