NEDLAC SUMMIT 2000
The Nedlac Annual Summit, scheduled for Saturday9 September,
will be officially opened by the deputy president, Jacob Zuma. The
Ministerof Labour Membatisi Mdlalana, the Minister of Trade and
Industry, Alec Erwin, and theMinister of Finance, Trevor Manuel are
also expected to attend. The theme of the Summit is'Social Dialogue
and Partnership for Growth, Development and Job Creation'.
Each of the Nedlac constituencies will addressthe gathering,
after which the executive director of Nedlac, Philip Dexter will
give anoverview of the work of Nedlac, for the past year. The
Minister of Labour MembathisiMdlalana will address the Summit on
behalf of the government, Zwelinzima Vavi secretarygeneral of
COSATU will represent labour, Andre Lamprecht of Business South
Africa willrepresent the business constituency and Thandi Marah of
the National Women'sCoalition will represent communities.
There will be four commissions - investmentand employment,
poverty and underdevelopment, economic empowerment, and the
globaleconomy. These topics reflect a level of consensus amongst
the Nedlac constituencies onthe country's national priorities.
The commission on investment and employment willbe facilitated
by Chez Milani of Fedusa and the discussions will be lead by Rudolf
Gouwsof Business South Africa and Zwelinzima Vavi, secretary
general of Cosatu. The poverty andunderdevelopment commission will
be facilitated by Thandi Marah of the NationalWomen's Coalition,
and discussions will be lead by Fadilah Lagadien of DisabledPeople
South Africa and the Minister of Labour Membathisi Mdladlana. The
commission oneconomic empowerment will be facilitated by a Nafcoc
representative and discussion will beled by Gwede Manthase of the
National Union of Mineworkers and David Moshapalo of
Fabcos.Cunningham Nkgucana of Nactu will facilitate the commission
on the global economy whilediscussions will be lead by Minister
Alec Erwin.
The work of Nedlac has in recent times focussedon reaching
consensus amongst the constituencies of Nedlac. It is envisaged
that thediscussions in the commissions will lead to a shared
analysis of the challenges facing thecountry and an agreement on
national priorities. It is hoped that agreement will also bereached
on a strategic framework for the implementation of a plan to
address theidentified priorities.
Some media have taken up the ideaof a social accord for South
Africa. Discussions at the Summit may give rise to anacceptance of
this idea amongst the constituencies.
The Summit will also be attended by businessleaders,
ambassadors, provincial premiers and senior government
officials.