Battle over credentials set to dominate day 2 of ANC conference

Battle over credentials set to dominate day 2 of ANC conference

Day two of the African National Congress (ANC) national conference in Nasrec, south of Johannesburg, is set to be dominated by a battle over credentials. 

Gwede Mantashe ahead of ANC policy conference
Photo: Slindelo Masikane

The issue of who should be at the conference, and who should vote for the new leadership, should have been discussed after President Jacob Zuma’s final political report on Saturday. It has been delayed to allow the ANC to “clean up” the process. 


There have been complaints about fake delegates arriving at the registration centre at the University of Johannesburg in Soweto. 


Day one of the conference was delayed by several hours as the ANC scrambled to solve the problems at the registration centre, amid a special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to discuss the court judgements from the day before.


A last-minute decision by the NEC to bar delegates from the affected structures in KZN, Free State and Bojanala in North West has further complicated matters. 


The issue of credentials is first on the agenda for Sunday, and even though the ANC has set aside only half an hour to discuss this important issue, it is expected to take much longer. 


ANC national chairperson Baleka Mbete told the media on Saturday night that the process could take quite a while. 


“I think they’re still cleaning up the credentials and the reason we thought we should adjourn is to give a lot more time.”


The nomination process for the new leadership will start as soon as the party is able to but the issue of credentials to bed. 


Outgoing ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe will deliver his final organisational report, while outgoing treasurer Zweli Mkhize is set to discuss the organisation’s finances. 


President Jacob Zuma is also scheduled to go on a walkabout of the conference venue on Sunday afternoon. 

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