Statement of the African National Congress and the South African Tamil Federation National Working Committee, 14 November 2014

The 650 000 strong South African Tamil Federation (SATF) met with the ANC on 5 November 2014 at Luthuli House, Johannesburg.

The SATF delegation led by its President, Karthigasen Moothsamy, made it abundantly clear that the Tamil community was here to stay and to be part of the solution in South Africa to build a strong state and a South African nation comprised of Africans, Coloureds, Indians and Whites.

The ANC acknowledged that the SATF was one of the first organisations to meet the ANC after its unbanning in 1990 and welcomed the opportunity to reconnect with the Tamil community.

A joint working committee will be established to deal with a range of issues including:

• The role for Tamil priests in the moral regeneration and social cohesion campaigns of the ANC and the war on poverty;
• Admission policies of universities and medical schools concerning Indian learners in general, and Tamils in particular;
• Black economic empowerment policies in the public and private sectors concerning work seekers;
• Creating more economic opportunities for Tamil entrepreneurs;
• Securing a radio frequency for the Tamil people - Southside FM, Kwa-Zulu Natal;
• Challenges facing the youth and women;
• An information centre to access various government grants; and
• Supporting the call of the UN Resolution for an independent and full scale investigation into war atrocities experienced by the Sri Lankans.

Issued by the African National Congress and the South African Tamil Federation

Miss S Naiker

Public Relations Officer

The South African Tamil Federation

Cell: 0787472536

Email: sashnee.naiker@gmail.com