Johannesburg - The ANC Youth League will propose resolutions
on the nationalisation of certain minerals and strategic mining companies at
the party's 53rd national conference in Mangaung, it said on Friday.
"...We shall be proposing nationalisation of the
following minerals: iron ore, magnesium, platinum group minerals, vanadium,
manganese, coal and zinc," a statement ahead of the conference said.
"We will further call for the renationalisation of
Sasol, ArcelorMittal and Kumba (Iron Ore) as strategic assets that should be
under the stewardship of the state for the broader benefit of all South
Africans," said Khusela Sangoni-Khawe, ANCYL head of communications.
This was in line with resolutions the league had taken on
nationalisation as a way of attaining "economic freedom".
The league said this was its response to a call for a
definitive input on minerals to be strategically nationalised.
A decision would be based on the economic importance of the
mineral or sector concerned and safeguarding supplies for "economic and
political sovereignty".
The league experienced a tumultuous year - its president
Julius Malema was expelled as an ANC member and other leaders were suspended.
The statement described the upcoming conference as the
"parliament" of the branches of the ANC.
Future generations should look back on decisions taken to
define this "epoch" as the period the ANC made a decisive break from
the legacy of apartheid colonialism and the continuing suffering of the black
majority in South Africa.
The league said: "Manguang is expected to respond to
the very urgent demand for the people to share in the country's wealth."
The league would affirm policy positions and continue to
call for radical programme of action.
This includes: expropriation of land without compensation
for equitable redistribution, and the amendment of section 25 of the
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa to give effect to this;
nationalisation of mines and other strategic sectors for industrialisation;
inclusive and decentralised economic growth and development; land restitution
and agrarian reform.
The party must also place further emphasis on youth
development; introduce compulsory youth service and implement a job stipend.
The statement made no mention of Malema.
It has been suggested that a motion from the floor at the
conference could be his last chance to have his expulsion lifted.
At Mangaung, the party is expected to discuss the
controversial issue of nationalisation of the mines during policy sessions.
It has rejected "wholesale nationalisation" in
favour of "strategic nationalisation", and called for
"transformative state intervention in the economy".
Options could include the more strategic use of existing
state-owned companies, and strategic nationalisation.
A proposed job-seekers grant would also be up for
discussion.
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