By AGISANANG SCUFF
7 August 2025- The ANC said it convened its National Executive Committee (NEC) Ordinary Meeting from 1 to 4 August 2025, meeting under the guiding banner of the 70th Anniversary of the Freedom Charter. The former liberation party said its historic gathering took place in a period of profound reflection and decisive action as they continue to implement the resolutions of the 55th National Conference, to advance the commitments of its 2024 Manifesto and sharpen its movement’s posture in delivering the January 8th tasks.
The ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula who addressed the media in Johannesburg on Wednesday, said the NEC met during Women’s Month, marking the 69th Anniversary of the heroic 1956 Women’s March and 30th Anniversary of the national day signifying the advances we have made in women emancipation and transformation. Mbalula said the ANC reaffirms its unflinching commitment to addressing the triple oppression of women in terms of race, class and gender.
“We celebrate this month focused on women leadership and economic participation under this year’s theme – “Building Resilient Economies for All.” This moment is not only a commemoration of historic victories but a clarion call to confront persisting gender inequalities, including the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide (GBV-F).
“The NEC reflected on several developments characterising the political terrain since our last meeting, including the emerging dynamics in the Government of National Unity (GNU), public opinion trends, the National Dialogue preparations the critical challenge of unemployment, the high cost of living, infrastructure challenges and international trade tensions, particularly the unilateral punitive tariffs imposed by the United States,” he said.
Mbalula further said the NEC noted with appreciation the report on the Liberation Movements Summit and reaffirmed the ANC’s commitment to building a better Africa and a better world. He added that the shifting geopolitical landscape requires that South Africa assert its sovereignty, defend multilateralism, and pursue partnerships that advance inclusive development.
“The ANC rejects with contempt attempts by domestic reactionaries and foreign forces to destabilise our nation through misinformation and economic coercion.
The NEC welcomes and fully supports the decisive interventions announced by Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation and Trade, Industry and Competition in response to the imposition of punitive tariffs by the United States.
“These measures reflect a coherent and strategic approach to defending South Africa’s economic sovereignty while prioritising the livelihoods of our people. The comprehensive support framework, including the establishment of an Export Support Desk and mobilisation of targeted industrial resilience funds, demonstrates a government that is proactive in shielding its productive sectors from external economic shocks,” said Mbalula.
He said these actions are not isolated measures, but form part of a broader national effort to restructure their trade relations, promote industrialisation and ensure that South Africa’s engagement in the global economy is anchored in equity, dignity and national development priorities.
Mbalula said the NEC is particularly resolute that South Africa will not be coerced into reversing its progressive economic transformation agenda or compromising its sovereignty under the guise of opportunistic foreign pressures.
“The Democratic Alliance’s reaction to the Ministers’ announcement exposes a mindset that is out of touch with the aspirations of South African people. Their reckless calls for deregulation and abandonment of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment are a direct affront to the principles of the Freedom Charter, which demand that the people shall share in the country’s wealth.
“The DA’s posture reflects a deeply entrenched neo-imperialist mindset that seeks to subordinate South Africa’s sovereign right to chart its own economic destiny to the interests of foreign powers and domestic elites. The ANC will not retreat from defending the economic freedom of our people,” he said.
Mbalula said their government’s principled and deliberate approach remains firmly rooted in the struggle traditions that guided them to liberation and continue to guide them in building a sovereign, inclusive, and a just South Africa.
The Guardian 