Latest news with #Lungisa
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Andile Lungisa calls for disbandment of ANC NEC
JOHANNESBURG - After months of delays and a National Executive Committee (NEC) in shambles last week, Andile Lungisa has emerged as the lone voice calling for the African National Congress (ANC)'s highest decision-making body to be disbanded. EWN understands Lungisa, who is a part of the NEC stood up to make the call during last week's meeting. He's suggested former president Thabo Mbeki should take over the reins as convener, while former ANC deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe should become the coordinator. Lungisa has seemingly brought back calls for the NEC to be disbanded, similar suggestions were made following a bruising performance in the 2024 elections. READ: After national budget passed, ANC looks set to resume NEC meetings EWN understands Lungisa told the party's highest decision-making body in between conferences, that it failed, criticising its inability to hold timely NEC meetings, not bothering to gather even amid a budget crisis. He's believed to have said the current NEC not only brought the ANC to 40% in the last elections but has no concrete plans to change its luck next year. Lungisa also hit out at his party over its lack of documents or positions to counter the country's failing economy and rising unemployment, instead accusing the ANC of allowing private interests to take over State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). Some NEC members have echoed his sentiments, telling EWN that the NEC is not even showing signs of readiness for its upcoming National General Council, let alone this week's National Dialogue, which it endorsed. Lungisa could not be reached for comment.
IOL News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Andile Lungisa condemns DA's legal challenge to Employment Equity Act amendments
The fight for transformation: Andile Lungisa speaks out against the Democratic Alliance's actions Image: Bongiwe Mchunu In a candid conversation reflecting deep concern over recent legal actions by the Democratic Alliance (DA) against amendments to the Employment Equity Act, ANC NEC member and former Youth League leader Andile Lungisa has condemned what he describes as an attack on South Africa's ongoing process of transformation. Speaking to IOL on Wednesday, Lungisa emphasised the importance of constitutional values of equality and transformation, condemning the DA's legal challenge as 'mischievous and provocative,' and a setback to the country's long-standing efforts to redress past inequalities. Lungisa's Perspective on Transformation and Legislation 'Transformation is inherently uncomfortable for those who benefited from previous systems of inequality,' Lungisa stated. 'It requires a radical departure from the status quo, so it often faces resistance. But that doesn't mean we should turn back the clock or undermine our constitutional commitments.' He went further to highlight that the amendments in question aim to accelerate progress toward equality for historically marginalised groups, specifically targeting race, gender, and disability. 'When delays or resistance hinder transformation, shouldn't we, as a caring government, consider legislative measures to fast-track this process?' he asked. Constitutional Imperative for Equality Lungisa reiterated that Section 1 of the South African Constitution explicitly lists the achievement of equality as a foundational value of the new democracy. 'It is a constitutional imperative to pursue policies that promote transformation and equalisation actively,' he emphasised. 'Any legal action that seeks to undermine these efforts is, in effect, an attack on all of us - the people of South Africa." He argued that the DA's court challenge is not merely a legal dispute but a challenge to the country's constitutional soul. 'Our values are the organs of our democracy. When they are threatened, it's a collective concern,' he said.
