Preamble

The common face of local government around South Africa is the councillor who begs people to vote for
him/her and the political party that has imposed them on the community. The councillor and their
political party make grand promises at election time about improving the lives of the local community.
Once elected into office, the councillor is nowhere to be found when the community needs them to
start delivering on their election promises, the councillor will actively avoid any physical and telephonic
contact with those that have elected him/her into council. The councillor no longer has time for those
that elected him/her, the councillor is living his/her best life at the expense of the community, that must
now suffer for electing a wolf in sheeps clothing. Failing municipalities such as the Emfuleni Local
Municipality have become a part of life, the lack of service delivery has become a norm.

Politicians at national and provincial level keep making the same empty promises about improving
people’s lives, but the sad reality of the matter is that these people, from Malema to Ramaphosa,
couldn’t care less about the wellbeing of local communities, they live in leafy upmarket suburbs that
have functioning street lights, constant police visibility, regular scheduled refuse removal and not a
pothole in sight. These so called leaders are not affected by conditions that local communities are
subjected to, they are detached and have no real idea of the conditions on the ground, therefore, they
cannot relate to the plight of our communities. They just want your vote to keep them living
comfortably behind 6 metre walls in Sandton. They do not have the people’s interests at heart, their
“struggle” has never been about you and me, it’s always been about them. There is no difference at
local government level either, these people are there to serve their own interests, not to serve the
interests of the people who elected them into office.

It is for these very reasons that a need exists for a community based movement that knows and lives the
daily struggles of the community. A movement that is made up of community members who will
represent the interests of the very same community. A movement that will deploy local community
members (eseng batho e re sa ba tsebeng) to the echelons of the municipal council, community
members who will not disappear after being voted into office, community members who will carry out
the mandate of the community knowing fully well that failure to do so will result in them being recalled
from office, community members who we can confront face to face when we’re having problems. A
need exists for a movement formed by us to address our needs and not those of opportunistic
politicians. The time for such a community organisation is long overdue. This organisation is Zimele
Community Movement, a breath of fresh air permeating through the putrid stench of municipal
corruption, laziness and incompetence . Zimele Community Movement is the collective expression of the
interests of local communities in Gauteng, and is part and parcel of the local communities that it resides
in.

Zimele Community Movement - Constitution

1. Aims

1.1. The name of the organisation is the Zimele Community Movement (ZCM) hereinafter referred to as
ZCM / the movement.

1.2. The colours of the movement are Red, Black, Green and Brown

1.3 The symbol of the movement shall be Black hands joined in unison to form a triangle, a spade and
sjambok shall straddle the triangle and form an “X”

- The hands signify co-operation, tolerance and understanding

- The triangle represents houses/shelter and the Vaal triangle area

- The spade represents work, economic development and determination

- The sjambok signifies the safety of communities and zero tolerance for criminal activity

1.4. It is the inalienable birthright of any community to organize itself into an organized movement for
effective translations of its needs, aspirations, goals and ideals into reality. Zimele Community
movement realizes that it is essential for communities in South Africa to consolidate themselves into an
organised movement that addresses local issues that impact directly on the daily lives of communities, a
movement that addresses relevant locally based challenges with the aim to actualize the aspirations,
needs and goals of communities. The aim of the Zimele Community Movement is the transformation of
local communities and the achievement of an improved standard of living for its members and the
broader communities in which they reside. The movements activities are based on the following
principles:

a) To develop a spirit of common interest and organize the people towards the collective development,
progress and prosperity of the community.

b) To unite and solidify communities with a view to encourage active citizenship and participation in
local governance and other matters that affect communities directly.

b) To formulate, apply and implement a community economic policy based on the philosophy of
“nothing for us, without us”.

c) To demand accountability of locally elected officials of local municipalities through the use of any and
all legitimate means and channels.

d) To be the mouth piece of constituent communities in matters of local governance, societal,

environmental and local economic issues.

e) To develop and implement programmes that seek to mitigate the negative effects of municipalities’
failure to deliver basic services to communities.

f) To actively endorse and promote the right to self-determination and encourage self-reliance amongst
communities

g) To foster co-operation and unity in communities with the intention to launch necessary reforms for
the eradication of socio-economic ills that face communities.

Zimele Community Movement - Constitution

h) To contest local government elections with the intention of representing the interests of our
members

i) To advance the interests of communities educationally, economically, socially and politically

2. Membership

2.1. Membership of the Zimele Community Movement is open to all South African citizens who share its
aims, abide by its constitution, and pay the required membership subscription.

(a) Applications for membership shall be considered by the Branch Executive Committee The Branch
Executive Committees shall have the power to accept or refuse any application for membership
provided such acceptance or refusal shall be subject to review by the Supreme Council.

(b) A person who does not qualify for citizenship or permanent residency in South Africa may be
accepted as an associate member if his or her application is accepted by the Supreme Council . An
associate member has full constitutional rights and obligations but may not stand for election as a
member of the Executive at any level of Zimele Community Movement.

(c) Every member has a duty in his or her personal conduct to act in a manner which will bring credit to
the movement.

(d) Members must strive constantly to improve their understanding of Zimele Community Movements
guiding ideology and its application to their specific local community needs and conditions

(e) Members are permitted to belong to other political formations at a provincial and national level,
however, members may not be a part of a local political organization that is not in alliance with the ZCM

(f) Any member who fails to pay their annual/triennial movement subscription in will be deemed by
their own actions to no longer be a member of the Zimele Community Movement.

However, when such instances arise, the movement, prior to removing any member from membership,
should make every effort to resolve the situation. A member’s personal financial position should not be
a barrier to ZCM membership, through the Supreme Councils treasurer (or their substitute), should use
their discretion to resolve the issue.

2.2. Members are encouraged to fully participate in the movement, all aspects of its work, and in the
wider community programmes.

Zimele Community Movement - Constitution

RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF ZCM MEMBERS.

Rights.

A member of Zimele Community Movement shall have the right to;

(a) Take a full and active part in the discussion, formulation and Implementation of the policies of the
movement.

(b) Receive and impart information on all aspects of ZCM policy and activities.

(c) Offer constructive criticism of any member, programme, policy or activity of the movement within
its structures.

(d) Take part in election and be elected or appointed to any committee, structure or commission of the
movement.

(e) Submit proposals or statements to the branch, Convention or Supreme Council, provided such
proposals or statements are submitted through the appropriate structures.

Duties.

A Member of Zimele Community Movement shall:

(a) Ensure that they are registered as voters in the local municipality where they reside.

(b) Belong to and take part in the life of his or her branch.

(c) Combat propaganda detrimental to the interests of Zimele Community Movement and defend the
policy, aims and programmes of the movement.

(d) Broaden his/her understanding of the social, political and economic issues of their local community.

(e) Explain the aims, policies and programmes of the movement to the people.

(f) Observe discipline, behave honestly and carry out decisions of the majority and decisions of the
Supreme Council.

(g) Refrain from publishing and distributing any media without authorisation which purports to be the
views of any organised grouping within the movement.

(h) Take all necessary steps to understand and carry out the aims, policies and programmes of the
movement.

Zimele Community Movement - Constitution

3. Branches & Regional Organisers

3.1. The basic organisational units of the movement are branches, each of which will be assigned to a
region for the purposes of internal organisation. All members are encouraged to be actively involved in
their local branch.

3.2. Branches should meet regularly, be a forum for constructive discussion, and engage in public
activity to promote the policies and work of the movement. Branches are the starting point for shaping
policy and strategy.

3.3. Branches will be invited every 3 years to nominate and elect 2 regional organisers to assist the
creation, merger and division of branches in their region.

3.4. Regional organisers will be responsible for co-ordinating regional campaigns and supporting the
growth of branches in their region.

4. Groups

4.1. Movement members can, with the agreement of the Branch Executive Committee, establish
recognised groups who have input into policy and strategy debates.

4.2. Groups can be created which either represent particular sections of the membership (such as
women, young people, trade unionists, Mittal workers etc.) or focus on policy in particular areas (such
as health, environment, etc.). Groups will not function as political platforms and must have a democratic
structure.

5. Convention

5.1. The movement shall hold al Convention every 5 years, open to all paid-up members of the ZCM who
are in good standing.

5.2. The purpose of the Convention is to form policy, elect an Executive Committee, agree on the
movement's Financial Report, review the work of the movement for the previous years, and plan out
work for the coming years.

5.3. Branches and Groups are entitled to submit two motions to the Convention and any number of
amendments.

5.4. Movement members are encouraged to fully participate in the democratic discussion and formation
of movement policy, and should abide by and promote this policy in their public work.

Zimele Community Movement - Constitution

6. Branch Executive Committees

6.1. The Branch Executive Committees will meet at least once a month and provide the leadership of the
movement between the Convention and Supreme Council meetings. The Branch Executive Committees
will be composed as follows:

(a) Chairperson

(b) Deputy Chairperson

(c) Captain

(d) Secretary

(e) Deputy Secretary

(f) Treasurer

(g) Ten members elected by majority vote at a branch Annual General Meeting or special AGM

6.2. Branches will be invited to submit nominations for positions on the Supreme Council ahead of each
Convention.

6.3. Where more are nominated for a position than there are vacancies, a secret ballot will be held at
the Convention by single transferable vote.

6.4. Where a vacancy arises between Conventions, branches will be invited to submit nominations
ahead of the next Supreme Council meeting, where an election will take place as normal.

7. Supreme Council

The Supreme council shall consist of the following office bearers

(a) President

(b) Deputy President

(c) Chief Captain

(d) Secretary General

(e) Deputy Secretary General

(f) Treasurer – General

(g) Deputy Treasurer general

(h) Ten members who will be together with those above shall be elected by majority vote at the
Convention.

(i) The Regional organisers shall also be part of the Supreme Council.

Zimele Community Movement - Constitution

7.1. The movement shall hold at least six Supreme Council meetings per year open for observation to all
paid-up members of the ZCM who are in good standing.

7.2. Supreme Council meetings will make decisions on important policy or strategy matters between
Conventions.

7.3. Branches and Groups are entitled to submit two motions to each Supreme Council meeting and any
number of amendments.

7.4. At least one Supreme Council meeting per year will take place outside the borders of the Emfuleni
Local Municipality.

8. Social Media

8.1. Social media plays a vital role in reporting and promoting the policies and work of the ZCM. It is also
a vital vehicle for promoting debate and discussion within the ZCM.

8.2. When participating in social media, all movement members are expected to conduct themselves in
a manner which is responsible, comradely and does not bring themselves or the movement into
disrepute.

9.Disputes & Conduct

9.1. Movement members are always expected to conduct themselves in a comradely and respectful
manner. Members are expected to respect the legitimacy of the movement's positions and not to
publicly bring it into doubt.

9.2. If a Zimele Community Movement member acts in a way which is alleged to have brought the
movement or themselves into disrepute, that member may be referred to the Supreme councils
Secretary for disciplinary proceedings.

9.3. The disciplinary process is as follows:

a) The complaint is referred by the Supreme councils Secretary to a disciplinary committee made up of
the Supreme councils Secretary, deputy president and four members (2 men and 2 women) elected at
Convention.

b) The disciplinary committee will investigate the complaint and make a recommendation for action to
the Supreme Council.

c) The Executive Committee will then decide whether to dismiss the complaint; to uphold the complaint
and issue a warning; to uphold the complaint and suspend the member; or to uphold the complaint and
expel the member.

d) If the member does not agree with the Supreme councils decision, they can appeal to the National
Conference for a final decision.

9.4. A member of the movement who has been suspended through the movement's disciplinary process
will not be regarded as being in good standing.

Zimele Community Movement - Constitution