Draft Report of the National Executive Committee

Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Sons and daughters of Africa:

On behalf of the Executive Committee of the African National Congress, I have great pleasure in submitting to you, for your approval and adoption, the Executive Report for the year ending December, 1951.
The political situation has already been reviewed at length and you will no doubt agree that the review has disclosed a most serious state of affairs in our country.
During the period covered by this Report, your Executive was faced with a most difficult task and a very trying time, as the result of internal troubles, such as the situation in Natal and the dispute in the Transvaal and the financial crisis confronting the Congress since the National Day of Protest—26th June 1950.
The white rulers have concentrated all their energy with vigour and de­termination in tightening up their machinery for oppression. This was clearly indicated by the last session of Parliament which dealt, inter alia, [with the] amendment of the Suppression of Communism Act. This Act was bitterly opposed at all its stages by the African National Congress, supported by all democratic movements in the country, because of its undemocratic principles. We are pledged to fight this Law to a bitter end.
The Separate Representation of Voters' Act deprived the non-Europeans of the last vestige of token democratic rights.
The Bantu Authorities Act is intended to bluff the African chiefs into believing that it restores to them the original powers they enjoyed before the coming of the white man. In real fact it prevents any democratic system being extended to the Africans in the Reserves and places the chiefs into the position of Gov­ernment Agents—a position which must necessarily provoke the antagonism of their people and undermine their prestige.
Under the provisions of the Group Areas Act, the Government intends to divide the African people into tribal groups in a bid to stem the rise of African Nationalism, a creed for the unification of the people of Africa into one solid Nation.
The Prevention of Illegal Squatting Act, which is a part and parcel of the forced labour policy in this country, is calculated to render thousands of our people homeless.
The Native Consolidated Amendment Bill, which was dropped due to lack of time, is as dangerous as any of the above Acts. It proposes unlimited power to the Minister of Native Affairs and to petty officers of his Department. Under the provisions of this Bill it will be possible to deport at will any African the Minister feels displeased with. The arbitrary powers proposed in this Bill can even outlaw the urban population of this country.
As far as the non-Europeans are concerned, the last Session of Parliament was a record session, it was outrageous for its concentration on the colour issue. These repressive measures clearly show the desperate position in which the Nationalists find themselves. This desperation was further demonstrated by the appointment of four sub-Cabinet Ministers under the Minister of Native Affairs. There is also established a Coloured Affairs Department under the Minister of the Interior.
From the foregoing, you will clearly see the determination of the Nationalist Government to keep the oppressed people down by all means at their disposal, and to this end they wish to crush the national democratic front that opposes them.

THE COUNCIL OF ACTION.

The various Committees appointed by the National Executive in terms of the Programme of Action have not produced encouraging results.

THE JOINT PLANNING COUNCIL.
The Joint Planning Council ... consisting of Dr. J. S. Moroka (Chairman), Messrs. J. B. Marks, W. M. Sisulu, Dr. Y. M. Dadoo and Mr. Y. A. Cachalia representing the African National Congress and the South African Indian Con­gress respectively was duly formed, and has presented its Report to the Congress. In our opinion this Report is of utmost importance and should receive the most serious attention of the Conference.

WITZIESHOEK SITUATION.
It is to be regretted that the people of Witzieshoek, who as a result of their struggle against Stock Limitation, and whose tragedy is well known to us, have not been sufficiently assisted by the Congress. Although the National Executive gave directive to the provinces for the collection of funds for the defence of the affected persons, there was no response except from the Province of the Transvaal. The Executive has decided to establish a National Fund to defend the affected persons and to continue the struggle against Stock Limitation throughout the country

ADMINISTRATION.
The year under review seriously strained the administering of affairs of the Congress due to financial crisis. The acute financial position is reflected in the treasurer's financial statement.
As a result of the situation referred to above we have been reluctantly com­pelled to terminate the services of the lady typiste, who not only served the National Organisation with deepseated devotion, but also made highly com­mendable sacrifices in the national causes. Your Executive wishes to record its deep appreciation for the services rendered to the nation.

EXECUTIVE MEETINGS....
EJECTMENT OF AFRICAN FROM TOWNS UNDER THE GROUP AREAS AND THE URBAN AREAS ACTS.

Africans are required under the Urban Areas Act to obtain the Governor-General's consent before occupying any premises owned by non-Africans and in areas outside African Townships. Since 1944 the Authorities did not implement the law and therefore many Africans occupied premises without consent and without hindrance. In keeping with the trend of events under the present rule, the Authorities have suddenly taken action and have raided the office of the Congress and also offices of the trade union organisations. Upon making inquiries it was revealed by a letter from the Native Affairs Department that Africans are now required to apply to the Land Tenure Advisory Board for occupation of premises in town under the Group Areas Act. After the sanction of this Board further permission must be obtained from the Governor-General. This will create a most intolerable situation as it will hamper the work of the organisations and individuals in cities.

OBITUARY.
Your Executive notes with regret the irreparable loss sustained by the African people due to the passing of three outstanding personalities. The late Dr. P. Ka I Seme and the late Rev. Magatho were past Presidents of the African National Congress and were also its foundation members. Mr. Clement Kadalie was the founder and the leader of the I.C.U. They have served their country and as such will always be remembered by the Nation.

TRANSVAAL DISPUTES....
NATAL SITUATION....
PROVINCIAL BRANCES.
Transvaal. The Transvaal Branch of the Congress must be complimented for its concrete work in the province. In spite of the fact that the present executive has been in office for only a short while, it has aroused tremendous enthusiasm among the people. The President, the Secretary, together with some of the members of the executive committee have toured almost the whole of the Trans­vaal. Many meetings were addressed and a number of new branches have been established. Today there are 25 very active branches in the province. The work of the Provincial Congress is, however, hampered by the obstacles placed in the way by Government and Municipal regulations.
Your executive has received a report of the existence of a group d as the 'Nationalist Bloc', which has now printed its own membership cards, purporting to be membership of the African National Congress. This matter is submitted to the Conference for attention and instruction....
Organisational work is going on in the Province and it is the aim of the Province to establish one hundred branches in a short period. In this regard the Province proposes to employ part time organisers on a commission basis. The women section and the Youth League are to be congratulated for their splendid work.

CAPE PROVINCE.
The Cape held its Annual Conference on the 23rd June, 1951, at Cradock. At this Conference 37 accredited delegates representing 14 Branches were pre­sent....
The report of the secretary disclosed an unfortunate situation in the Cape. It appears that there is no co-ordination in the Province and even in some cases letters of direction are ignored. Although there are virile branches in the Province, the report is silent about activities undertaken by the Province and from that point of view the report seems unsatisfactory.

NATAL....

FREE STATE.
There are seventeen branches of the Congress in the Province the most active being the one in Ladybrand, which has tackled a number of local issues. The people who were arrested in this area as a result of their participation in the National Day of Protest on June, 26th, were convicted by the local Magistrate but they won on appeal.
The President and the Secretary did their best to assist the people in the Sediba Reserve, who refused to assist the authorities in the culling of the cattle in the area. The leaders were arrested and kept under custody without trial....
ORGANISATION.
The membership of the A.N.C., is undoubtedly increasing everyday. We are continuously receiving letters from various parts of the country from in­dividuals and groups. Some inform us that they have formed themselves into branches, others seek a mandate to form such branches. The African people are very enthusiastic about Congress. They show faith and confidence. It is for us to give proper directives and co-ordinate these forces. The question of a perfect machinery cannot be overemphasised....
Whatever we do in our endeavors to liberate the African People depends entirely on the solid foundation of a National Front. The African people must be educated as to what the Congress stands for, what the Congress is, and what it is doing.
For this reason the Working Committee has agreed on the implementation of the following plan by the National Executive, Provincial Executives and Branch Organs.
The National Executive will have its Propaganda Committee as the Spearhead of this particular department. It shall be held responsible for the Political Educa­tion and arrange lectures for the above committees. These lectures will also be available to the National Executive itself. This field is intended to produce well trained men for the field.
Provinces must zone themselves into regions, each of the eleven members of the executive to be responsible for a particular zone. Branch Executives will be responsible for the creation of organs under their supervision. A place, for instance like the New Brighton, Bloemfontein, Orlando locations, could each have one hundred organs as will fully appear in the sketch herein enclosed.
The functions of the Organs will be to meet and discuss or be lectured to on what the Congress stands for, what activities the Congress is engaged in, day to day issues—National and local. There shall be regular weekly meetings, reporting fortnightly to the Branches, the Branches reporting monthly to the Provinces and the Provinces in turn reporting quarterly to the National Executive.
This will ensure the bringing of the decisions of the Congress more effectively to the people, and an effective co-ordination will be established. Above all these Organs will become recruiting ground for Congress membership. Our aim must be one hundred thousand members during this year, 1951.
There is a great need for administrative training. There must be regular meetings of secretaries of all the provinces in order that they may discuss their difficulties and receive training on how to administer their branches. This will bring about a high standard of efficiency on the part of the Congress Officials. Strict discipline must be observed, particularly by the officials so as to avoid officials deliberately ignoring instructions from above by giving flimsy excuses for failure to carry out the instructions of the Congress.
This plan must receive priority over all else, since all depends on the strength of solid and disciplined organisation.

DIFFICULTIES.
The same difficulties as reported last year in connection with the holding of meetings still exist. These restrictions on the freedom of movement and speech are calculated to stifle National aspirations of the people and cannot be tolerated any longer. We recommend very strongly that effective and concerted struggles be launched against this form of tyranny as suggested in the report of the Council of Action.

CONCLUSION.
In conclusion we thank all those who co-operated and wholeheartedly assisted in the cause of the liberation of the people of South Africa during the period under review. It is sincerely hoped that with the great and noble task that lies ahead of us every responsible [person] in the organisation will make redoubled efforts to save our country from chaos and confusion brought about by the present rulers of South Africa. We are confident that the highest spirit of sacrifice which is expected from the leadership of the organisation in the cause of liberation will be forthcoming.

NKOSI SEKELELA AFRIKA

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