Independent Newspapers

African National Congress Secretary General Gwede Mantashe. Photo: Sam Clark

Bloemfontein - Students must read the African National Congress’s report on the nationalisation of mines, party secretary general Gwede Mantashe said on Sunday.

“Using it as a campaign tool is wrong,” Mantashe told delegates at the national conference of the South African Students’ Congress (Sasco).

The conference, at the University of the Free State, continues until Wednesday.

Mantashe said the report on the nationalisation of mines would be in simple language so that any ANC member could read and understand it.

“Take interest in the report, read it, make inputs and bring your inputs to the policy conference.”

Mantashe also shared a few lessons with the students on being an “conscious member” of the ANC.

He urged the students not to aspire to be part of only “tenders” and “big deals”, but to be contributors to society with their “brains” and “knowledge” in innovative ways to help the country grow.

Mantashe said if students eventually join the ANC Youth League they must have something to offer.

“Do not come to take over, make a contribution, work, and on your contribution get elected.”

Referring to discipline in the ANC, Mantashe said a revolution was based on discipline, which was also key to the success of any movement.

“Never disguise ill-discipline as disagreement and... militancy without discipline is anarchy,” he told the students.

Mantashe urged the leaders of Sasco and the ANC Youth League to relieve the tension between the parties because the fight was costing the ANC. - Sapa