The Northern Cape Alliance consisting of the African National Congress (ANC), South African Communist Party (SACP), Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), and the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO), convened its Alliance Political Council on the 09th of September 2024. 

The meeting received inputs from leaders of all alliance partners, who reflected on the political and socio-economic realities confronting our revolution and the people of the province. 

This critical meeting came at a time when the province is confronted with pressing challenges of poverty, unemployment, poor service delivery, and the crises of social reproduction.

The meeting equally received an in-depth analysis and report on the 2024 national and provincial elections outcomes and diagnostic report that should guide the alliance in reclaiming lost ground and connecting with our people. The Alliance remain committed to fostering social cohesion, advancing the goals of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR), and addressing the needs of the people of the Northern Cape. 

Our Programme of Action serves as a guiding framework to ensure that these goals are met with urgency and diligence. The Alliance Political Council deliberated on key strategies to address the socio-economic realities in the province and align them with national objectives. In response, the Alliance Political Council agreed on a minimum programme which will serve as a vehicle to address the identified challenges working with our communities and like-minded organisations.

1. Unity and Cohesion of the Alliance
At the core of the Programme of Action is the principle of unity and cohesion within the alliance. The Alliance Political Council acknowledged the importance of strengthening the internal workings of the Alliance, ensuring that all alliance partners work in synergy. Key mechanisms to reinforce this unity include:
•
Regular meetings: The Alliance will hold regular consultative meetings to foster greater coordination between the ANC, SACP, COSATU, and SANCO. These forums will be used to harmonise approaches to policy implementation, election preparations, and community mobilisation.
•
Political Education and Ideological Development/ Training: In a bid to build a well-informed and disciplined cadre of leaders, the Alliance will roll out a series of political education programmes. These will be aimed at deepening understanding of the National Democratic Revolution and ensuring that of all alliance components, the PYA and broader society are equipped with the skills to lead with integrity and accountability.
•
In confirming the recent conference resolutions of the ANC, SACP and COSATU in supporting and help to build SANCO structures in the province, this Alliance Political Council this commitment and will continue to support SANCO in launching its remaining three regional structures and provincial structure.

2. Economic Transformation and Job Creation
The economic plight facing the people of the Northern Cape remains a focal point of the Alliance’s Programme of Action. The province, which is rich in minerals and agricultural resources, continues to grapple with high unemployment, limited industrialisation, and underdeveloped infrastructure. The Alliance is committed to transforming the economy to be more inclusive, ensuring that the wealth of the province benefits the broader population. This will also include the convening of an Alliance Led Provincial Economic Summit working with progressive intellectuals and academia on the economy which must include, SMMEs, cooperatives, youth etc. Key initiatives in this regard include:
•
Local Economic Development Initiatives: The Alliance will champion local economic development projects aimed at empowering small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs), cooperatives, and rural economies. These projects will focus on sectors such as agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, and mining beneficiation.
•
Job Creation and Skills Development: Working closely with government departments, the Alliance will promote and monitor skills development programmes that are aligned with the province’s economic priorities. Special attention will be given to training young people and women in fields such as mining, construction, and the green economy, ensuring that they are absorbed into productive sectors of the economy.
•
Support for Workers and Trade Unions: The Alliance reaffirms its commitment to the rights of workers and will work collectively stive to address labour disputes, workplace exploitation, and the casualisation of labour, especially in the mining and agricultural sectors.

3. Addressing Service Delivery and Strengthening Local Government
One of the most pressing concerns raised by communities is the lack of efficient and timely service delivery, particularly in historically marginalised areas. The Alliance has identified the need to address these challenges through enhanced oversight and closer engagement with communities. The key interventions are:
•
Community Engagement and Feedback Mechanisms: The Alliance will direct or deploy and strengthen the accountability through the alliance secretariat (Deployment and accountability committee) all councillors, Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs), and Members of Parliament (MPs) to establish regular community engagement forums. These forums will serve as platforms where community members can raise concerns, provide feedback, and hold public representatives accountable.
•
Strengthening Municipal Governance: The Alliance will work to improve the capacity and efficiency of local municipalities through targeted training for municipal officials and stricter oversight mechanisms. Emphasis will be placed on improving financial management, addressing corruption, and ensuring the timely provision of basic services such as water, sanitation, electricity, and housing.

4. Youth Empowerment and Mobilization
The youth are a significant demographic in the Northern Cape, yet they continue to face high levels of unemployment, social exclusion, and limited access to opportunities. In response, the Alliance has resolved to prioritize youth empowerment and create avenues for their active participation in the socio-economic transformation of the province. The following initiatives are central to this agenda:
•
Youth Employment Programmes: The Alliance will push for the expansion of youth employment initiatives, including the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention and other public employment programmes. These efforts will focus on creating jobs in sectors such as infrastructure development, renewable energy, and digital technology and more.
•
Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA) Mobilization: The Alliance will work closely with the PYA structures, ensuring that young people play a leading role in community projects, campaigns, and political education programmes. The focus will be on building a generation of leaders who are dedicated to serving the people and advancing the goals of the Alliance.

5. Women’s Empowerment and Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
The scourge of gender-based violence continues to plague the Northern Cape, undermining the dignity and safety of women. The Alliance have taken a firm stance against all forms of violence against women and children and are committed to fostering an environment where women are empowered and their rights protected. The key focus areas include:
•
GBV Awareness Campaigns: The Alliance will embark on a province-wide campaign to raise awareness about gender-based violence and the support services available to survivors. These campaigns will be conducted in collaboration with civil society organisations, traditional leaders, and government agencies.
•
Empowerment of Women in Leadership: As part of its commitment to gender parity, the Alliance will ensure that women are adequately represented in leadership positions within the alliance and in the public and private sectors, women will also be prioritised in employment and skills development initiatives.

6. Anti-Corruption and Ethical Leadership
The Alliance recognizes that corruption has eroded public trust in government institutions and compromised service delivery. To address this, the Programme of Action emphasizes the need for ethical leadership and stronger anti-corruption measures. The Alliance will work to restore public confidence by:
•
Strengthening Anti-Corruption Mechanisms: The Alliance will advocate for stronger anti-corruption mechanisms at all levels of government, including enhanced transparency in procurement processes and stricter penalties for those found guilty of corrupt practices.
•
Promoting Ethical Leadership: The Alliance will promote a culture of ethical leadership across its structures, ensuring that all leaders act with integrity, accountability, and in the best interests of the people.

7. Election Readiness and Political Mobilization

With the 2026 local government elections on the horizon, the Alliance is mindful of the need to build a strong electoral base and prepare effectively for the elections. The Programme of Action outlines a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening the Alliance’s electoral capacity:
•
Candidate Selection and Community Involvement: The Alliance will ensure that the process of selecting councillor candidates is inclusive, transparent, and reflective of the communities they will serve. Community involvement in this process will be a priority to ensure that candidates are rooted in the issues affecting their constituencies.
•
Election Campaign Strategy: The Alliance will develop a unified election campaign strategy, focusing on key issues such as service delivery, economic empowerment, and anti-corruption. The campaign will also seek to re-engage disillusioned voters and rebuild public trust in the ANC’s ability to govern effectively.

The Alliance partners remain committed to the implementation of this Programme of Action over the next year, ensuring that the socio-economic conditions of the people are improved. The Alliance will continue to work in unity, guided by the principles of the National Democratic Revolution, to build a more just, equal, and prosperous province.

End.

ISSUED BY THE ALLIANCE
Cde Deshi Ngxanga – ANC Provincial Secretary

Media enquiries: 

Cde Sindiswa Bayo – 0799506173
Cde Patrick Bosiame – SACP Provincial Spokesperson
082 455 2455
Cde Vincent Diraditsile – SANCO Provincial Secretary
072 712 3287
Cde Orapeleng Moraladi – COSATU Provincial Secretary
060 978 5651