Andrew Stegmann

ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) Announced

Written by Quintin Coetzee

As the African National Congress (ANC) wraps up its 54th National Conference in Johannesburg, it has announced the new members of its National Executive Committee (NEC).

The NEC is the chief executive body of the ANC, South Africa’s ruling party. It has the power to lead the organization, subject to the provisions of its Constitution. It is elected every five years, at the party’s National Conference. The NEC, in turn, elects a National Working Committee, which is responsible for day-to-day decision-making.

The NEC is composed of The President, Deputy President, National Chairperson, the Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General and the Treasurer General, who are separately by the National Conference, and commonly referred to as the “Top 6”, as well as 80 additional members.

The Top 6 positions are now filled by the following newly-elected members:

President: Cyril Ramaphosa
Deputy President: David Mabuza
National Chairperson: Gwede Mantashe
Secretary General: Ace Magashule
Deputy Secretary General: Jessie Duarte
Treasurer General: Paul Mashatile

Cyril Ramaphosa, the new leader of the ANC, does not have a majority of allies in the NEC. If this translates to a lack of support from a majority of the NEC voting members, it may limit the scope of control he has over the party, and his ability to drive policy changes. While Ramaphosa has replaced Jacob Zuma as the party’s President, Zuma is still the President of the country, with his term ending at the time of the next South African general election sometime in 2019.

The two main party leaders that Ramaphosa will be leading the ANC against in said election will be Mmusi Maimane of the Democratic Alliance, and Julius Malema of the Economic Freedom Fighters. Both parties are looking to increase the gains they saw during the 2014 general election, and potentially form a coalition government that will unseat the ANC for the first time since they began leading the country in 1994.

Pravin Gordhan, the previous South African Minister of Finance, replaced by President Zuma during a cabinet reshuffle in March 2017, has been elected as a member of the new NEC.

Among the elected NEC members are Ramaphosa’s opponent in the ANC leadership election, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (receiving the 9th most votes), Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba, and former central bank Governor Tito Mboweni. Former ANC Treasurer-General Zweli Mkhize won the most votes of the 80 additional members of the NEC, followed by Lindiwe Zulu, the Minister of Small Business Development.

Staunch backers of Ramaphosa in the NEC include Pravin Gordhan, Derek Hanekom, Angie and Mathole Motshekga, Jackson Mthembu and Mondli Gungubele.

Among the backers of President Jacob Zuma in the NEC are omvula Mokonyane, Collen Maine, Bathabile Dlamini, Pule Mabe and Tony Yengeni.

ANC leaders who did not retain positions in the NEC include SACP leader Blade Nzimande, and Ministers Thulas Nxesi, Gugile Nkwinti, and Senzeni Zokwana.

The new members of the NEC, in no particular order, are as follows:

  1. Zweli Mkhize
  2. Lindiwe Zulu
  3. Regina Makgaule
  4. David Masondo
  5. Malusi Gigaba
  6. Ronald Lamola
  7. Violet Siwela
  8. Zizi Kodwa
  9. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
  10. 1Obed Bapela
  11. Tito Mboweni
  12. Lindiwe Sisulu
  13. Bheki Cele
  14. Fikile Mbalula
  15. Thoko Didiza
  16. Sdumo Dlamini
  17. Bathabile Dlamini
  18. Senzo Mchunu
  19. Pravin Gordhan
  20. Naledi Pandor
  21. Ivan Botes
  22. Zingiswa Losi
  23. Jackson Mthembu
  24. Phumulo Masualle
  25. Pule Mabe
  26. Sfiso Buthelezi
  27. Mduduzi Manana
  28. Aaron Motsoaledi
  29. Thandi Modise
  30. Edna Molewa
  31. Collen Maine
  32. Nathi Mthethwa
  33. Tima Joemat Pieterson
  34. Nkenke Kekana
  35. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane
  36. Angie Motshekga
  37. Bongani Bongo
  38. Enoch Godongwana
  39. Nomvula Mokonyane
  40. Baleka Mbete
  41. Derrick Hanekom
  42. Mondli Gungubele
  43. Jeff Radebe
  44. David Mahlobo
  45. Ruth Bhengu
  46. Msebenzi Zwane
  47. Pinky Kekana
  48. Nocawe Mafu
  49. Joe Maswanganyi
  50. Tony Yengeni
  51. Joel Netshitenzhe
  52. Dakota Lekgoete
  53. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
  54. Noxolo Kiviet
  55. Ngoako Ramathlodi
  56. Mathole Motshekga
  57. Sbongile Bhesane
  58. Thandi Mahambehlala
  59. Susan Shabangu
  60. Pinky Moloi
  61. Beauty Dluelane
  62. Pamela Tshwete
  63. Toko Xasa
  64. Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba
  65. Dikeledi Magadzi
  66. Thabang Makwetla
  67. Siyabonga Cwele
  68. Barbrah Creecy
  69. Mildred Oliphant
  70. Khensani Khubayi
  71. Nomaindia Mfeketho
  72. Hlengiwe Mkhize
  73. Pemmy Majodina
  74. Faith Mothambi
  75. Rejoice Mabudavhasi
  76. Cindy Tshikunga
  77. Gwen Ramokgopa
  78. Sylvia Lucas
  79. Pammy Majodina
  80. Candith Mashego

Many South Africans, as well as those overseas, are skeptical as to the direction that the newly-elected party members will take the country in the coming months, with the hope that South Africa will see less corruption and greater economic growth in its near future. There is also something to be said of the ever-present need for all parties in Parliament to come together and make decisions which will benefit citizens as a whole, as opposed to wasting precious discussion time on the often racism-fueled volleys that the country’s residents have come to know.

To learn more about the ANC’s National Executive Committee, click here.

For information about how we can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

 

 

Sources: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]. Image Sources: [1], [2].

Andrew Stegmann

Requirements for Nigerians in Diaspora Travelling Home On Foreign Passports

Nigerians who wish to go home to Nigeria using another country’s passport are charged the same fee that is charged to all foreigners applying for a travel Visa to Nigeria.

They are also required to submit to biometric data enrollment as is the case for all foreign visa applicants – just as other countries ask Nigerians who wish to travel abroad to go through biometric visa enrollment.

This is also based on the fact that a significant number of Nigerians in diaspora are dual citizens – they are citizens of the country where they reside while retaining their Nigerian citizenship also.

It is very important to note that any Nigerian who resides abroad who wishes to come home can obtain or renew a Nigerian passport at the same relative price as that paid by Nigerians in Nigeria. But if the Nigerian residing abroad chooses to use their foreign passport to travel to Nigeria, they must then obtain a visa just like every other holder of a foreign passport wishing to travel to Nigeria.

This is not unique to Nigeria. This is the same rule that applies with every country that allows its citizens to have dual citizenship.

This response is aimed at providing a proper background into the recently introduced Nigerian biometric visa issuance in order to clear some misconceptions such as that which alleges that it is an exploitative policy targeted at Nigerians in diaspora wishing to “come home” for a visit.

It is imperative to highlight the need for the introduction of biometric processes in the visa issuance process as a means of addressing contemporary migration issues and challenges. Foremost in this regard, is the issue of security within the context of international terrorism as well as internal insurgency problems.

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Andrew Stegmann

SOUTH AFRICA | Hardcopy Police Clearances No Longer Required for In-Country Applications

Effective December 31, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) of South Africa is automating the process of checking a foreign national’s South African criminal record, It will then no longer be necessary to apply for a hardcopy South African Police Clearance Certificate (“SA PCC”). The DHA will continue to accept hard copy SA PCCs until December 31; but the automated verification process will become mandatory starting January 1. Welcomed news for foreign nationals residing in South Africa, the new automated process is expected to significantly reduce document procurement time, in some cases trimming months from the processing times.

All foreign nationals who have resided in South Africa for twelve months or more since their 18th birthday require an SA PCC to support any application to renew their visas, change visa conditions, change visa status, apply for a Permanent Residence Permit, or submit a new application for a long-term Temporary Residence Visa from abroad.

Note that this new automated process is only applicable to SA PCCs being obtained to support applications filed from within South Africa. Foreign nationals who require SA PCCs for applications submitted at South African Missions abroad are still required to provide hardcopy SA PCCs as part of their applications processes.

Currently, it is necessary in all cases to obtain a hardcopy SA PCC through the Criminal Records Centre of the South African Police Service (“SAPS CRC”), a process that can take six weeks or more. This oftentimes results in applicants failing to meet the requirement of submitting their applications no less than 60 days prior to the expiry of their existing visas.

Under the new process, the DHA will check the foreign national’s biometric fingerprints – which are digitally recorded at the Visa Application Centre (“VAC”) at the time of application submission – against the police database to check for any recorded criminal convictions in South Africa. An additional fee of R175.00 (including VAT) will be levied by the VAC per applicant for the new service.

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Andrew Stegmann

Cyril Ramaphosa Becomes the New Leader of the ANC

Written by Quintin Coetzee

South Africa’s governing party, The African National Congress, has announced that its 4700 delegates, who began voting on Sunday night, have elected Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa as the new party leader. Ramaphosa will replace Jacob Zuma as the head of South Africa’s governing party, and will lead the country into its 2019 General Elections, Zuma is ineligible to run again, having reached his two term limit.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former Minister, former Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and Ramaphosa’s opponent, secured 2,261 votes, compared to his 2,440.

Cyril Ramaphosa served as the Secretary General of the ANC from 1991 to 1997, and has been South Africa’s Deputy President since 2014. Ramaphosa remained in the country during the apartheid years, despite his criticisms of the then-government, while many of his ANC peers were exiled. He spent time defending the rights of black miners as leader of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).

Relied on by Nelson Mandela during transition talks when the ANC government was about to come into power in 1994, Ramaphosa was Mandela’s pick to succeed him. However, due to pressure from other ANC members, Thabo Mbeki became the country’s second President.

Ramaphosa turned to commerce, using his investment vehicle, Shanduka (Venda for “change”), grew rapidly, and acquired stakes in mining firms, mobile operator MTN, and McDonald’s South Africa. Phuti Mahanyele, a former Chief Executive at Shanduka, recalled that Ramaphosa was a passionate leader who required staff to contribute to charitable projects aimed at improving access to education for the underprivileged.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma garnered 179 fewer votes than Cyril Ramaphosa during the race to lead the ANC.

Five other top party positions were voted on during the ANC’s 54th National Conference. The role of Deputy President goes to Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza. Gwede Mantashe, current ANC Secretary-General, will assume the role of the party’s National Chairperson. Ace Magashule, current Premier of the Free State, has taken the position of Secretary-General. Jessie Duarte retained her position as Deputy Secretary-General. Gauteng Provincial Chair for the ANC, Paul Mashatile, will be the party’s Treasurer-General.

Members from both camps within the ANC have been elected to the party’s highest positions. Magashule and Duarte both expressed their support for a Dlamini-Zuma win in the run-up to the election, while Mantashe publicly supported Ramaphosa.

During the 2014 general election, the ANC garnered 62.15% of the vote, with the DA taking 22.23%, and the EFF going home with 6.35%. This gave the parties 249, 89, and 25 seats in South Africa’s 400-seat National Assembly.

The next South African general election will take place in 2019. Exact dates have yet to be announced.

 

 

Sources: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9]. Image Sources: [1], [2].