'Don't blame apartheid for broken ANC promises'

SIBUSISO NGALWA | 17 July, 2011 01:07

Jacob Zuma. File picture.
Image by: Alan Eason


Blaming apartheid for the government's tardiness in implementing ANC promises has lost its currency, President Jacob Zuma says.

At the opening of the ANC's national executive committee lekgotla this week, Zuma called on his government to speed up the implementation of his party's promises to voters.

The lekgotla, which ends today, was attended by cabinet ministers, government official and tripartite alliance leaders.

An NEC member told the Sunday Times Zuma had said that "apartheid created this legacy, but as the ANC we've got promises and the pledges we made to the people. He was saying that everyone must get on with the programme".

This week's meeting also saw discussions on health, the New Growth Path plan produced by the Minister of Economic Development, Ebrahim Patel, and a recently released National Planning Commission diagnostic report.

The lekgotla comes amid attacks on Zuma's government by the ANC Youth League and Cosatu over "weaknesses" in the growth path document, as well as the planning commission's diagnostic report.

Cosatu said Patel's growth plan was not worker friendly.

Last month youth league president Julius Malema said National Planning Minister Trevor Manuel's diagnostic report had failed to offer solutions to SA's problems.

Manuel and NEC member Cyril Ramaphosa spent some time on Friday explaining why the planning commission had compiled a report before examining solutions.

The NEC member said the pair gave a clear picture of which areas the government had to focus on.

"For instance, it mentions that 80% of black schools are dysfunctional, where these schools are and why they are collapsing ..." she said.

Last month, Zuma suggested the ANCYL had not read Manuel's report.

The NEC member said: "The president is not afraid of criticism, but he gets upset if the criticism is not properly directed, especially if people don't bother to read."

Times Live

Comments by Sonny

Zuma has run out of time - South African people have run out of patients!

This guy just won't deliver!!

Jungle Toi Toi is outdated!