A bruising battle looms at the ANC national conference next month as the younger generation moves to exclude the old guard from leadership.
ANC structures have proposed that the “gogos and mkhulus” be members and not leaders.
This is contained in the final list of proposed constitutional amendments to be tabled at the party’s conference in Nasrec from December 16 to 20.
Acting secretary-general Paul Mashatile on Tuesday sent ANC structures the list of amendments in a letter TimesLIVE has seen.
One proposal is to bar older members from contesting leadership positions.
“All South Africans above the age of 65 years shall enjoy full membership rights except being voted for in positions of leadership,” the proposal reads.
This proposal is bound to pit the younger generation against the old guard who make up most of the national executive committee (NEC). But this depends on whether the proposal enjoys the support of most delegates at the conference.
Should it be accepted, President Cyril Ramaphosa, who turns 70 next week, Cogta minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, 73, mineral resources and energy minister Gwede Mantashe, 67, public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan, 73, and former health minister Zweli Mkhize, 66, will be excluded.
The list also includes Nokuzola Capa, 70, tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu, 68, Derek Hanekom, 68, police minister Bheki Cele, 70, finance minister Enoch Godongwana, 65, basic education minister Angie Motshekga, 67, and international relations and co-operation minister Naledi Pandor, 68.
It is also proposed that naturalised South Africans may be ANC members but cannot stand for positions.
Other proposed amendments endorsed by ANC branches include the step-aside rule. Branches have endorsed the NEC’s proposal to include the step-aside rule in the ANC constitution.
The rule has deepened divisions and is likely to be among the most contentious issues on day 1. Some provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo, have called for the rule to be scrapped or refined.
The document was drafted by the subcommittee on constitutional and legal affairs led by Ronald Lamola and will need the backing of two-thirds of the delegates at the conference.
The rule compels those facing serious criminal charges to vacate their positions until after they have been dealt with and legal battles concluded. An amended version of the rules bars them from contesting positions at ANC conferences.
The structures have also endorsed the amended version which caused uproar from those who could not contest positions.
Structures have also endorsed the move for a second deputy secretary-general (DSG), extending the ANC's national office bearers to seven.
There seems to be consensus in the party that there is a need for a second DSG, who will focus mainly on organising, consequence management and administrative matters while the first DSG focuses on policy matters and assisting the secretary-general.
In another radical shift to give content to the renewal process, the ANC will no longer allow just anyone to become a member. For the first time, the ANC wants to include in its constitution who can be denied membership.
This includes those found guilty of stealing money meant for projects that would have benefited the poor, unemployed, vulnerable and marginalised in society. Even those who don’t pay “papgeld”, or child support, will be denied membership.
“Renewal is given a constitutional character and the ANC is being modernised with amendments to allow virtual or hybrid meetings. Also each member will now have a direct say in the elections of all structures,” said Lamola.
TimesLIVE
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