Constitution

ARTICLE I

Name

The name of the Party shall be the Dream Nation Africa – DNA (hereinafter referred to as “the Party”).

About DNA

Dream Nation Africa is a political party formed in early 2023 by a group of committed individuals to establish South Africa as a dream nation which could be the throbbing heart for the rest of the African continent. A policy of a multi-ethnic DNA national gene, underscored by the principle of equality is the foundational stone of the Party. The party is the brainchild of Thabo Senyolo.

ARTICLE II

Party Objectives

The Party shall be a national movement dedicated to serving the interests of South Africa and advancing the well-being of its people. Towards this end, the Party’s general objectives are:–

• to promote voter education and raise the level of awareness and political interest among the populace

• to represent and serve all South Africans responsively and responsibly, attentive to immediate concerns, focussed on long-term challenges and opportunities, and governing with integrity and honesty

• to safeguard freedom and safety, and advance the well-being of South Africans through representative, democratic government and crime prevention and combatting strategies

• to uphold a multi-racial and multi-religious society, where people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs live harmoniously together as fellow citizens, and deepen the national identity and commitment to South Africa

• to sustain a vibrant economy which creates good jobs and better lives for all, and enables every South African to achieve their full potential

• to build a fair and just society, which encourages individual effort and family responsibility, while ensuring community and government a social system support for the vulnerable and less fortunate

• to strengthen an open and compassionate meritocracy, with opportunities for South Africans to develop skills in diverse fields, active support for those who start off with less, and ladders to success at every stage of life

• to develop a democracy of deeds, where citizenship embodies both rights and obligations, and nurtures a sense of collective responsibility and community action

• to preserve, protect and defend the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of South Africa

• to become a beacon of regional excellence and spread a positive influence on the rest of the African continent

ARTICLE III

Membership to the National Executive Committee (hereinafter expanded under Article VII)

Any citizen of South Africa of not less than 16 (sixteen) years of age who undertakes to comply with this Constitution and Conditions of Membership and who is not a member of any other political party shall be eligible to be a National Executive Committee member of the Party

ARTICLE IV

Conditions of Membership

1. Election of a Member

• Every member shall be loyal to South Africa and shall uphold the Constitution of the Republic

• Every member must accept and conform to the Constitution, programmes, principles and policy of the Party

• Application for membership to the National Executive Committee shall be made in writing to the Secretary-General of the Party and shall be considered by the National Executive Committee, provided that the National Executive Committee shall have the power to delegate its functions under this Article to such Committee or officials as it deems fit

• It shall be the duty of the National Executive Committee in exercising its powers of election to carefully consider the suitability of the applicant for admission as a member, having regard to the Objectives of the Party

• An applicant shall be elected if a simple majority of the members of the National Executive Committee present at the Committee meeting at which the election of the applicant is considered, vote in favour of his election

• The National Executive Committee may reject any application without assigning any reason therefore and its decision shall be final until revised by the National Party Conference

• In the event of any applicant being refused election by the National Executive Committee, any two cadre members may propose and second a resolution in accordance with Article V at the subsequent National Party Conference that such applicant be elected, and if such resolution is carried by a majority of the cadre members present and voting, such applicant shall be deemed to be duly elected

• Upon the election of a member, notice in writing thereof shall be given to him, and he shall be furnished with a copy of the Constitution of the Party and a request to pay to the Treasurer within 14 (fourteen) days from the date of such request, the amount of his first subscription. Upon payment of his subscription but not before, he shall become a National Executive member of the Party, and be bound by the Constitution

• If the first subscription is not paid within 14 (fourteen) days from the date of such request as

aforesaid, the election of such member shall be void, unless he shall satisfy the National Executive Committee that the delay in payment was due to a sufficient cause

• All members shall have the right to attend Party congresses

• Members who have proved their loyalty and service to the principles and objectives of the Party and members who, in the opinion of the National Executive Committee, are fit and proper persons, shall be eligible for appointment as cadre members

• The appointment of members to cadre members shall be made by the National Executive Committee

• A member shall be appointed cadre member if a simple majority of the members of the National Executive Committee meeting at which his appointment is considered vote in favour of his appointment

• Cadre members shall have the right to attend Party conferences and to vote for and elect and to be elected to the National Executive Committee

• Any cadre member who is absent for two consecutive Party conferences without having given prior notice may have his cadre membership terminated by the National Executive Committee. Before taking a decision, the National Executive Committee shall send the member a written notice by Registered Mail (or its equivalent) requesting him to submit his explanation for such absence and the Committee shall give due consideration to his explanation. A member whose cadre membership is thus terminated may, however, continue to be an ordinary member

Subscription

• The annual subscription for a Member of the National Executive Committee shall be R500 (five hundred rand only) or such other sum as the National Executive Committee may from time to time prescribe

• All annual subscriptions—except the first subscription of a new member as provided by Article IV

1. (h)—shall be payable in the first month of each financial year

• If any member shall fail to pay his subscription within 2 (two) months of such subscription becoming due, written notice shall be sent to him by Registered Mail (or its equivalent) calling his attention thereto, and if he does not pay the amount within 2 (two) months from the posting of such notice, the National Executive Committee may delete his name from the membership of the Party. But if at any time he shall give to the National Executive Committee a satisfactory explanation, he may, at the discretion of the National Executive Committee, and upon payment of all arrears, be re-admitted to membership

Resignation of a Member

Any member may resign his membership by giving to the Secretary-General 1 (one) month’s notice in writing to that effect, provided that any member giving such notice shall be liable to pay his subscription up to and including the current year in which such notice is given

Discipline

It shall be the duty of the National Executive Committee if at any time it shall believe the interests of the Party so require, to consider the question of the suspension or expulsion of any member or demotion of any cadre member at a Special Committee meeting convened for that purpose. Such member shall be given by Registered Mall (or its equivalent) notice in writing of such meeting and shall be informed in such notice that he may offer a written explanation or an explanation of his conduct to such meeting in person. If at such meeting, after considering the explanation offered, two- thirds of the members of the National Executive Committee present and voting for his suspension, demotion or expulsion, he shall thereupon be suspended for such period as the Committee may specify or cease to be a member or a cadre member of the Party. An expelled member shall have the right of appeal to the National Party Conference

ARTICLE V

The National Party Conference

1. The work of the Party shall be under the direction and control of the Party Conference; such a conference being called the National Party Conference. The National Party Conference shall be held once every 2 (two) years or at such later date being not later than 26 (twenty-six months) after the last preceding National Party Conference as the National Executive Committee may determine. The National Party Conference may also be held at such other times as it may be convened by the National Executive Committee or at the requisition of at least ten per cent of the cadre membership

• The quorum for a National Party Conference shall be at least one tenth of the total number of cadre members of the Party. In the event of there being no quorum, the meeting shall be adjourned for thirty minutes. On the meeting being reconvened after the adjournment, should the cadre members present be still less than one-tenth the total number of cadre members of the Party, those present shall form a quorum

• The date, time and place of all Party Conferences shall be fixed by the National Executive Committee

• The Business at the National Party Conference shall be: –

• to pass the minutes of the previous Party Conference

• to receive from the National Executive Committee a Report, covering the work and progress of the Party during its term of office together with a financial statement

• to elect the National Executive Committee and to appoint auditors until the next National Party Conference

• to decide on any resolutions which may be duly submitted to the National Party Conference as provided in Clause (6) of this Article

• to decide what measures shall be taken in the furtherance of the Party aims

• to transact any other business or resolutions approved by the National Executive Committee

• At least 1 (one) calendar month before the date fixed for the National Party Conference, the Secretary-General shall inform all cadre members in writing of the date fixed for the National Party Conference and draw their attention to Clause (6) below

• Any cadre member desirous of moving any resolution at the National Party Conference shall give notice thereof in writing to the Secretary-General not less than 2 (two) weeks before the date of the National Party Conference, provided that such notice shall contain the names and signatures of cadre members in support of the resolution constituting at least 5 % (five per cent) of the cadre membership

• The National Executive Committee may at any time for any special reason or on requisition of at least 10% (ten per cent) of the cadre membership call a Special Meeting

• Notice summoning a Special Meeting shall be sent to cadre members not less than seven 7 (seven) days before the date fixed for the Special Meeting and shall state the subject or subjects to be discussed at the Conference. No other subject may be discussed at the Special Meeting

• At least 14 (fourteen) days before the National Party Conference or 7 (seven) days before a Special Meeting, the Secretary-General shall notify all cadre members of the business to be transacted. In the case of National Party Conference such notice shall include the National Executive Committee’s Report, the Financial Statement of Accounts during its term of office, and any resolutions which cadre members have indicated their intention of proposing under Clause (6) of this Article

1. At any Party Conference, the Chairman of the Party and in his absence the Vice-Chairman, or if he is also absent, then any member of the National Executive Committee appointed by the Committee shall take the Chair. Every cadre member shall be entitled to one vote upon any motion. Each resolution shall be passed by a majority of votes cast and, in case of an equality of votes, the resolution shall be declared to be lost

1. At any Party Conference a resolution put to the vote of the Conference shall be decided by a show of hands unless a ballot is demanded by any cadre member upon or immediately following a declaration by the Chairman of the results of the vote on the resolution by a show of hands. Unless a ballot is so demanded, a declaration by the Chairman that a resolution has on a show of hands been carried or lost, shall be conclusive evidence of the fact. The demand for a ballot may be withdrawn. There shall be no voting by proxy

1. The National Party Conference may be adjourned from time to time until the business of the Conference is concluded

ARTICLE VI

The Party Congress

1. Whenever the National Executive, Committee deems it necessary, it may convene a Party Congress at such time and with such agenda as the National Executive Committee shall determine

• At least 3 (three) weeks before the date fixed for a Party Congress the Secretary-General shall inform all members in writing of the date fixed for the Party Congress

• At least 1 (one) week before the Party Congress, the Secretary-General shall notify all members of the business to be transacted

ARTICLE VII

Management of the Party

1. There shall be a National Executive Committee of the Party

• The National Executive Committee shall consist of twenty (20) members of whom 50% (fifty per cent) are graduates (or equivalent) from the built-environment professions. All the members shall be eligible for re-election at the National Party Conference. There shall be a central core of the National Executive Committee that shall consist of seven members

• The National Executive Committee shall elect, from amongst its members, the office bearers for the posts of Party Leader, Secretary-General, Chairman, Treasurer, Spokesperson, Treasurer and such other posts as it deems necessary to establish

• The first Executive Committee was co-opted by the Convenors on the adoption of this Constitution, and the inaugural meeting of this Party at which this Constitution was first adopted shall be deemed to be the first Annual Conference of the Party

• General Duties of the National Executive Committee (Specific duties to be expanded separately)

The duties of the National Executive Committee shall include the following: –

• to present to the National Party Conference a Report covering the work and progress of the Party during its term of office, together with a Financial Statement and Accounts duly audited

• to propose to the National Party Conference, such amendments to the Constitution as may be deemed desirable and to submit to the National Party Conference such resolutions and declarations as in its view may be necessitated by political circumstances

• to organise and maintain a Fund to finance elections and to spread among the people the aims and ideals of the Party

• to enforce the Constitution of the Party and promote its aims and to take any action it deems necessary for such purpose

• to establish Branches in South Africa for such district at such times and with such constitution and standing orders as it shall deem proper. It shall always guide and control the work of the Branches in accordance with the policies laid down by the Party Conference and the objectives of the Party

• to establish ‘Think Tank’ and ‘Catalyst’ subcommittees

• to make such Rules as it considers necessary for the proper administration and discipline of the Party

• to appoint a member to fill any vacancy on the Committee until the next National Party Conference

• to appoint sub-committees with powers to co-opt. Such subcommittees shall be responsible to the Committee

• to arrange the affairs of the Party, and whenever necessary to examine the account books and Party records. More than 50% (fifty per cent) of National Executive Committee members at a properly convened meeting of the Committee shall form a quorum. Minutes shall be kept of all the proceedings of the Committee

• to appoint, pay and dismiss staff employed by the Party

• to purchase, take on lease or in exchange, license, hire or otherwise, acquire, movable or immovable property of any kind in furtherance of the objectives of the Party and to sell, exchange, lease, license or otherwise dispose of any movable or immovable property or interest thereon on such terms as may be considered expedient and subject to Clause (5) below

• to borrow for the purposes of the Party such amount of money either at one time or from time to time and at such rate of interest and in such form and manner and upon such security as shall be specified in any resolution passed by the National Executive Committee to borrow money as aforesaid, and thereupon the National Executive Committee shall direct the Trustees to enter into such agreements for the above purpose and to give such security as may be necessary

• to build, construct, improve, develop and maintain any property necessary or convenient for the purposes and objectives of the Party

• to sign and execute all deeds, documents and other instruments of every nature and kind whatsoever for carrying out the purposes of the Party

• to accept, undertake or execute any trust or gift which may be deemed to be in accordance with or which may further or benefit the objectives of the Party or any of them

• to appoint in accordance with Clause (5) below, members of the Party or a Trust Corporation as Trustees of the Party for such time as it deems fit

• to so appoint, discharge and direct such Trustees or Trust Corporation to do all such acts and things as the Trustees or Trust Corporation may be empowered by Clause (4) below to do

The Party Leader’s duties shall include:-

1. calling meetings of the National Executive Committee and to preside over ‘Think Tank’ and ‘Catalyst’ meetings and events

• mediating conflicts within the Party

The Secretary General’s duties shall include:-

1. ensuring efficient administration of the Party
2. summoning the National Party Conference and any Special Meeting and any Party Congress and all meetings of the National Executive Committee
3. keeping all members fully informed of all important activities of the National Executive Committee and shall keep minutes of the National Party Conference, and any other special minutes of the Party

The Treasurer’s duties shall include:-

1. The Treasurer shall open such a banking account as the National Executive Committee may direct and shall deposit therein all monies received by him on behalf of the Party

• being responsible for all the funds of the Party and he shall issue receipts for all payments made to the Party

• ensuring that all financial instruments are duly acknowledged and signed by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer and one of two other signatories authorised by the National Executive Committee

• The Treasurer shall be responsible for drawing up the Financial Statement and Accounts

4. Trustees

• There shall be two or more Trustees comprising members of the Party or Trust Corporation who shall be appointed by the National Executive Committee and in whom any immovable property of the Party shall be vested

• The Trustees or Trust Corporation so appointed hold office for such period as may be decided by the National Executive Committee or until such time as such appointment is terminated by the National Executive Committee by notice in writing to the Trustees or Trust Corporation concerned. Where, by reason of the above, it shall appear necessary to the National Executive Committee to appoint new Trustee or Trustees or Trust Corporation, the National Executive Committee shall by resolution nominate the person or persons or Trust Corporation to be appointed the new Trustee or Trustees

To give effect to such nomination, the Party Leader and Secretary-General of the Party are hereby nominated as the persons to formally appoint new Trustees of the Party within the Trust Property Control Act and they shall by deed duly appoint the person or persons or Trust Corporation so nominated by the National Executive Committee as the new Trustee or Trustees of the Party and the provisions of the Trustees Act shall apply to any such appointment

• The Trustees or Trust Corporation shall be indemnified by the Party against any costs Incurred or damage suffered in the proper or reasonable discharge of their duties in addition to any indemnity given by law to Trustees

ARTICLE VIII

Amendments to the Constitution

1. Amendments to the Constitution shall only be made at the National Party Conference

• The proposed amendments to the Constitution shall be sent in writing to the Secretary-General at least 14 (fourteen) days before the National Party Conference

• The proposed amendments shall be circulated to cadre members at least 7 (seven) days before the National Party Conference

• Any resolution proposing the repeal, addition to or amendments of any of these Articles at any Party Conference shall be null and void, unless a majority of the cadre members present and voting, vote in favour of such resolution

ARTICLE IX

Standing orders at Party Conferences

1. No motion or amendment shall be spoken to by any person except the mover until it has been seconded

• To any question, any number of amendments may be moved

• Not more than one amendment shall be before the meeting at one time. When an amendment has been moved, members shall speak for or against the amendment and any member may indicate the terms of an amendment he may desire to move later should the amendment under discussion be defeated, but he may not move this further amendment until the amendment under discussion has been disposed of

• An amendment which directly negatives the motion under discussion shall not be accepted

• An amendment upon being carried shall be submitted as the substantive motion when it shall be competent for any member to propose a further amendment to it

• Any member who has not spoken on a motion before the meeting may move “That the meeting proceed to the next business” or “That the motion be now put” on the seconding of which the Chairman shall, without discussion, immediately put this motion to the vote

• When the Chairman is standing no other member shall at the same time stand or speak

• Notices of motions other than those of a formal character shall be submitted to the Chairman in writing

ARTICLE XI

Ordinary Membership

Any South African, including permanent residents, is eligible for membership of the Party

Membership takes effect when a person complies with the requirements for membership and pays the membership fee in accordance with regulations approved by the National Executive Council

The annual membership fee is R50 (fifty rand only)

To qualify for membership of the Party, the individual should:-

1. Be sixteen 16 (sixteen) years of age or older
   1. Agree to abide by the Constitution of the Party
   1. Sign the prescribed membership application form or make an application online or in any other way approved by the National Executive Council of the Party
   1. Comply with any condition set by the National Executive Council
   1. Pay the membership subscription applicable to the period of membership applied for
   1. Annual subscriptions shall be payable in the first month of each financial year

• A person may enrol as a member at any time during the year

The membership of the Party is audited on 1 January or such other date as the National Executive Council may decide

Branches are the basic organisational formations of the Party, and every member of the Party must be a member of a branch and must exercise his or her rights and privileges as a member through his or her branch and its elected representatives and delegates.

ARTICLE X

General

1. The Financial Year of the Party shall commence on the 1st of January and end on the 31st of December. Within 3 (three) months after the end of a term of office, the National Executive Committee shall call the National Party Conference and shall submit to it a Report with a Financial Statement and the duly audited accounts of the Party during its term of office

• The Accounts of the Party shall be audited by an Auditor or two Honorary Auditors who shall certify the correctness of the Statement of Accounts to be submitted to the National Party Conference. The Auditor or Honorary Auditors shall be appointed at the National Party Conference

• No member shall, except for professional services rendered at the request of the National Executive Committee, receive any profit, salary or emolument from the funds or transactions of the Party

• Every member shall faithfully and fully abide by every decision made by the Party Conference or by the National Executive Committee until such time as the decision is amended or revoked

• Only the Party Leader or the Secretary-General of the Party or such other persons authorised by the Party Leader can issue any statement to the Press in the name of the Party

• The National Executive Committee shall have the power to use at its discretion the funds of the Party or monies collected by donations from members to compensate a member of the Party who has suffered any loss or injury as a direct result of activity carried out for the Party

Disclaimer: The DNA Constitution is an important and sacred document to us. If there is any error, it is purely unintentional, and we are not liable for any misrepresentation. We also hope you would inform us of the error so that we can make the necessary correction

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To find out more, download our Party Manifesto www.dnafica.org.za/manifesto/

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