The National Democratic Revolution (NDR), as The 1955 ANC Congress Report asserted about The Freedom Charter, is the sum total of our aspirations, but more; it is the road to a new life. The NDR, which the ANC has made a primary objective, is described as a process through which the National Democratic Society is achieved; a society in which people are particularly socially and economically empowered.

The 53rd National Conference of the ANC pre-emanated paying urgent and systematic attention to the task of developing a contingent of cadres who have attributes that accord with the tasks of the National Democratic Revolution, particularly confronting the challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality as an integral part of the struggle to consummate the National Democratic Revolution. These challenges that currently beseech the country, present an opportunity not only for introspection but for organisational renewal of the ANC as a governing party, in pursuit of the National Democratic Society.

What is our task?

Because of our innate understanding and uncompromising stance on the economy of the country being equitably owned and the majority participating indirect ownership, our task is to incessantly disrupt the claws of the enemy that hold deployees of the ANC hostage and seek a process of Renewal, not only as a wake-up call when the movement fails to support and advance the cause of national liberation for the benefit of the black majority but to affirm our call for the National Democratic Society.

The ANC KZN PS, Comrade Mdumiseni Ntuli, when speaking about organizational renewal, preludes, “As we agonize over the more practical steps required for the renewal of our movement we must know and internalize that the renewal project will also have opponents. The beneficiaries of the status quo will inevitably resist change because change will affect their lifestyles. The questions, therefore, arise: Have we not, during this period of sustained organizational decline and decay, also had elected into positions of responsibilities those who were meant to be members only? This question arises fundamentally because not every member should be a leader in actual reality. Leadership in our movement was always a preserve or a privilege of the few outstanding members in society.”

With a keen sense of our unfinished historic mission, the transformation agenda demands a capable cadre/deployed. The criteria of public representatives should include detailed scrutiny of those seeking to represent the people. Agreeably, this will present a challenge where we must choose between our comrades and principle; between our allies, and necessary decisions that have to be taken in the interests of advancing our national democratic struggle.

The 2012 discussion document towards the National Policy Conference succinctly states, “What distinguishes a transformative movement or revolutionary party from an ordinary electoral political party is the ability to wield state power to fundamentally alter the power relations in any society. In particular, to change power relations in favour of the previously oppressed and exploited masses. Given the extent and depth of social change pursued by the ANC as a national liberation movement, it is logical that such a far-reaching transformation is only possible if it is carried out by a movement or party with an aspiration to influence and transform all aspects of society. This is essentially what it means to be the strategic centre of power – political, economic, social, and ideological power.”

Do we not want to own productive assets of our country? We certainly do. The wealth beneath the soil must belong to the [indigenous] people of South Africa. The cooption of the incumbent into capital has [to the extent of a historic basis] cemented a neoliberal framework that has left the masses in severe economic devastation and as pariahs with a vote.

Now, who is this cadre that will deliver the National Democratic Society our forebears sacrificed everything for?

Tokologo Ngoasheng, in our Fourth (4th) issue, opining the type of cadre needed, cement, “This cadre must live with the primary motive forces which he seeks to liberate, be amongst them, work with them, eat what they eat, sleep where they sleep, go to the same places of worship that they go to, attend the same school that they use, in general, be one with those whom you seek to liberate.”