Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Reminder: What it is all about

AGANG SA MEDIA STATEMENT: MAMPHELA RAMPHELE REMINDER OF PURPOSE

Agang SA president Mamphela Ramphele appeals to supporters to remember what the movement is really about.

“The events of the last few weeks culminating in last weekend’s factional meeting are about the politics of power.  This factionalism is not about Mamphela Ramphele, it is about the failure of those entrusted with the power of representation in Parliament to represent the people who voted for Agang in the hope of new politics.  Agang's values are about the politics of inclusion and respect for human rights, accountability and effective and efficient governance.

She goes on: “Those who voted for Agang were not attracted by the prospect of Parliamentary seats, but by the prospect of giving voice to the many who have lost hope that their daily struggles can be given voice.  They are the women in Ga-Matlala who struggle to feed their children.  The women and men of  Alexandra living with huge mountains of litter in street corners.  Young men and women of Lenyenye who have no hope of a job.  People everywhere who have hope that their children may one day get the free high quality education we committed to fight for.  They are the young men and women who have hope that they too can be given second chances to learn a skill to become the entrepreneurs that can drive our economy forward.  They are the young women who are dreaming of life without domestic violence and the risk of dying in child birth.”

She concludes: “The work of building local, regional and provincial structures is ahead of us.  No quick solution will work. Self-appointed leaders who have yet to demonstrate the ability to lead constructively cannot be allowed to interrupt the work at hand.  Usurpers are not builders.  They need to be told loud and clearly that they cannot reap where they have not sown.  Agang is a dream for builders not destroyers.  Let the real builder please stand and defend the dream.”

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Western Cape Council Members Support for Stability

Statement by Western Cape Provincial Council Members

We hereby confirm that we as provincial council members distance ourselves from an inter-provincial meeting that will purportedly take place on 29 June 2014.

We also call for those organising and participating in the 29 June 2014 meeting to be held accountable for sowing discord amongst the ranks in Agang SA and for purposefully attempting to take over the party via unconstitutional means.

Furthermore, we wish to extend our unequivocal support for our President, Dr. Mamphela Ramphele and her efforts to re-build the party and take it forward to 2016 local goverment elections. We must seek inspiration from her vision to re-align the political landscape in South African politics and offer voters a credible alternative.

We strongly believe that the way forward is to stabilize the party's finances and getting member records in order so we can run proper democratic elective conferences at provincial and national level, and decide on a constitution with full participation of the members. We cannot run any form of democratic process without solving these problems and therefore stand behind the presidential task team in its important work.

1) Andrew Arnolds
2) Vida Arnolds
3) Johannes Pick
4) Theunis Mack
5) Thamsanqa Marthinus
6) Efraim Heunis
7) Simphiwe
8) Nyameka Mguzulo
9) Zozo Nocanda
10) Nolwando Nyameka
11) Balu Nivison
12) Adele Campbell
13) Jannie Hendricks
14) Duncan Speelman

Provincial Leadership supports Dr Ramphele

STATEMENT BY PROVINCIAL LEADERS OPPOSING THE 29 JUNE “INTERPROVINCIAL” MEETING

We hereby confirm that we as Provinces distance ourselves from an interprovincial meeting that will purportedly take place on 29 June 2014.   The meeting lacks support of the majority of the provincial structures, is improperly constituted and unconstitutional, and called by certain individuals without a mandate from their constituents to do so.

Make no mistake, the meeting was called by a dissident group who have infiltrated Agang SA and whose mission it is to ultimately destroy the party. 

In particular the meeting was called by Tshepo Tsetlai deputy chair of Gauteng without a mandate to do so from a majority of the Gauteng structures and provincial coordinating committee.  Peter Makwele, another individual who has publically called for the meeting has no standing to do so and is not on the Gauteng provincial executive despite his claim to the contrary.

We also call for those organising and participating in the 29 June 2014 meeting to be held accountable for sowing discord amongst the ranks in Agang SA and for purposefully attempting to take over the party via unconstitutional means.

Furthermore, we wish to extend our unequivocal support for our President, Dr. Mamphela Ramphele and her efforts to re-build the party and take it forward to 2016 local government elections.  We must seek inspiration from her vision to re-align the political landscape in South African politics and offer voters a credible alternative.

We strongly believe that the way forward is to stabilize the party’s finances and get member records in order so we can run proper democratic elective conferences at provincial and national level, and decide a constitution with full participation of the members. We cannot run any form of democratic process without solving these problems and therefore stand behind the presidential task team in its important work.

Sincerely,
Boy Jacobs – Chair North West Province 
Tebogo Maano – Secretary North West Province
Moses Majenge – Chairperson Free State
Amos Marumo – Secretary Free State
Thato Mtoba – Chairperson KZN
Unathi Mnqanqeni – Chairperson Eastern Cape
Lwandisa Monqo – Secretary Eastern Cape
Thabiso Seoka - Chairperson Gauteng Province
Mongezi Mayoli – Secretary Gauteng Province

Agang Reconstitutes NEC

Cape Town, 27 June 2014

To: All Provincial Structures – AgangSA Members

The Presidential Task Team wishes to confirm herewith the following as per minutes of the NEC meeting held Wednesday 25th June 2014:

The preliminary scoping report identified leadership gaps in the organogram of AgangSA as per the Conference Convening Constitution.

This included key positions of Secretary General, National Treasurer, National Policy Convenor. In addition to which there were gaps in the Disciplinary Action Committee and overlapping roles of having three spokespersons. The proposal that members of the task team be seconded to immediately fill the vacant positions was well received by the NEC to immediately reduce volatility and enhance stability to drive the organisation toward a national conference where elections will be held. Therefore, it was resolved that the NEC is reconstituted to include the members:
  1. Policy Convenor:  Rorisang Tshabalala
  2. Media Spokesperson: Philip Machani​c​k 
  3. Treasurer: Yunus Vollenhoven
  4. Secretary General: Dan Habedi
  5. Deputy Secretary General: Shamani Mashishe (to support Dan Habedi)
  6. National Disciplinary Convenor: Jock McConnachie
These members together with the President, Deputy President, Chairperson, the Women and Youth Convenors form the reconstituted NEC to take the organization forward into a conference where members will be democratically elected to the NEC as per the constitution. It was also resolved that Nyameka Mgozulu serve as youth and women's convenor, and Angela Pitsi will serve as training and entrepreneurs convenor.

​Provincial co-ordinators​ on the task team ha​ve​ begun the process of consulting with formal provincial structures for co-option of two provincial leaders per province to serve on the task team. The intention is to ultimately strengthen and broaden provincial representation on the NEC through proper processes in accordance with the constitution.

Two committees will also be formed within the NEC, a “Conference Logistics Committee” and a “Constitution Drafting Committee” to drive processes towards Provincial and National conferences. These committees will report to Advocate Jock McConnachie who will also serve as legal advisor on the NEC.

Lastly, the NEC confirmed the appointment of Brett Field (Secretary of CoJ) as the new IEC party liaison officer. The IEC has been notified accordingly.

The task team has been working round the clock since its first meeting on Monday to systematically address the burning issues raised by members in accordance with proper structures and channels. While we have taken some significant steps to move AgangSA forward, there is a lot more work to be done in the three weeks ahead and we look forward to your continued support.

Sincerely,

AgangSA task-team

Friday, June 27, 2014

Task team broadens its participation

AGANG PRESIDENTIAL TASK TEAM
Friday, 27th June 2014
Dear Citizens,
 
The Agang Presidential Task Team hereby wishes to inform our provincial leaders of our leader’s decision in respect of Sunday’s interprovincial meeting.
 
Firstly, that the meeting is unconstitutional and has no standing.
 
Secondly, that the following provinces have openly expressed their support for MAR as party President who has called for members to not support any meetings held outside of the proper structures provided for by the Conference Convening Constitution.
 
The following provinces have pledged their full support for the task team, MAR and AgangSA in open statements in the media and member channels and we value this.

North West
  •  ​Boy Jacobs – Chair North West Province
  • Tebogo Maano – Secretary North West Province
Free State
  • Moses Majenge – Chairperson Free State
  • Amos Marumo – Secretary Free State
KZN
  • Thato Mtoba  – Chairperson KZN 
Eastern Cape
  • Unathi Mnqanqeni – Chairperson Eastern Cape 
  • Lwandisa Monqo – Secretary Eastern Cape
Gauteng
  • Thabiso Seoka - Chairperson Gauteng Province 
  • Mongezi Mayoli – Secretary Gauteng Province
As the task team coordinators for the provincial structures, we value your support and assistance to uphold the leadership principles of the Party
 
Moving forward, there is a process to broaden participation in the Agang task team by including two leaders from each province. Furthermore, the task team will be meeting with all provincial structures to audit each region, assess capacity and explore ways to strengthen and mobilize members. ​

Thursday, June 26, 2014

NEC update


MEMORANDUM TO AGANGSA MEMBERS
In the interest of strengthening member communication, the presidential task-team hereby wishes to share with members the following initiatives undertaken today:
1.   An NEC meeting was held last night to receive the preliminary scoping report which was welcomed by the president and NEC members. The media have reported on this in line with the media statement that was issued today which reflects the organizations challenges.
2.     A notification was sent to all provincial structures updating them on the resolutions taken as per the minutes of the NEC meeting. This includes calling the proposed interprovincial meeting of 29 June 2014 unconstitutional.
3.    The Facebook page and the Twitter account were also updated with this letter and we posted a video with a presidential message on Youtube.  
4.    On the blog of the presidential task-team we are posting copies of these communications as well as media releases please see www.agangsa-taskteam.org
5.     A notification was issued to confirm that the suspension of members Thabiso Seoka and Mongezi Mayoli was invalid and their membership was confirmed in good standing as per the minutes of the NEC meeting.
6.     Conversations were held with debtors and creditors, bankers and regulatory bodies to discuss the way forward on financial issues given some 12 Million debt raised in the report.  
7.   A proposal is being explored to call on members and AgangSA supporters to make a monthly contribution however small to assist the party meet its financial obligations.
8.   A letter has also been sent to the speaker of the National Assembly to request support and guidance for AgangSA to ensure that its two MP seats contribute to the strengthening of ethical leadership and democracy.
9.   The task team is working around the clock with limited resources all in a volunteer capacity supported by academics, futurists and the goodwill of ordinary citizens willing to lend a hand to secure the future voted for by 52 350 citizens of South Africa. Any contributions financial, infrastructure, professional expertise and moral support are most welcome. Please communicate with us via agangtaskteam@gmail.com and follow us on Twitter, like AgangSA`s page on Facebook and log in to Youtube to see the video posted today of Dr Ramphele`s message to you.
The AgangSA presidential task-team assures you of our best.

Sincerely
Merle O`Brien
Convenor AgangSA Presidential Task Team

Unconstitutional meeting: 29 June 2014


Cape Town, 26 June 2014 
Attention: AgangSA Provincial Structures
The minutes of the NEC meeting have been received dated 25 June 2014 in terms of which the following resolutions were made:
  1. The IEC has been notified of the updated constitution being the conference convening constitution. This is the only valid constitution drafted by the national advisory council led by Mike Tshishonga (including Kylie Chan, Tsepiso Ramphele and Andrew Gasnolar). 
  2. The NEC has resolved that the meeting to be held in Johannesburg on Sunday 29 June 2014 is unconstitutional and members must be advised not to attend as a newly constituted NEC will be announced by then.
  3. Provincial structures are empowered in terms of the constitution to mobilise resources to object to any meetings called outside of the recognised constitutional structures.
  4. Gauteng region is encouraged to raise awareness of this objection in the media and by on the ground mobilisation to uphold the values in enshrined in the constitution. This may include plackarding and presence of members to object to the illegitimacy of actions in contempt of the constitution. Most important is to state that this is NOT a AgangSA conference, AGM or NEC meeting and no resources of AgangSA included but not limited to -  intellectual capital, branding, Johannesburg offices, IT or Databases - are permitted to be used for these unconstitutional gatherings. AgangSA takes no responsibility for costs incurred and use of offices towards this end will be seen as a violation.
  5. A disciplinary action committee is urgently being constituted by Mr Jock McConnachie to deal with all disciplinary matters under audit by the presidential task team. This includes the disciplinary process to be followed in respect of dealing with citizen Andries Tlouamma.
  6. Each province is to select two members to be seconded to the task team to serve on the various workstreams to support the work of a newly constituted NEC. This will enable provincial structures to bridge the disconnect created by the absence of provincial liaison officers.
  7. The party president has written directly to the speaker of the National Assembly to keep her abreast of developments in a way that secures the power of the two seats secured by 52 350 South African voters to strengthen democracy through ethical leadership.

Sincerely
Merle O`Brien
Convenor AgangSA Presidential Task Team