All eyes on Ramaphosa as ANC national conference gets underway
Thousands of ANC delegates from various provinces have descended on Nasrec in the south of Johannesburg for the party’s national conference.
The conference is held every five years, and is where party members elect new leadership and discuss organisational and policy matters.
Some 6 000 participants including party members, MPs, ministers, mayors, and diplomats are expected to attend.
Marching orders will be given at the conference which will determine government’s policies on the economy, social grants, education, health care and energy to name but a few.
However, the battle for the leadership of the governing party is expected to dominate.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to open the conference on Friday morning with his political report.
The adoption of credentials, which has led to several court cases in the past, is set to start after lunch.
A heated debate is expected is set to follow as the Phala Phala scandal enters the fray.
Although Ramaphosa, for now, has survived removal attempts following a parliamentary report into Phala Phala - the ANC’s integrity commission is expected to table its report on the matter after dinner.
The final item on the agenda for Friday, and which one could argue is the most important – is finalising the nominations list for the ANC’s top 6.
Delegates will be able to raise candidates from the floor – who then needs the support of 25% of the voting delegates to enter the fray.
Speaking at the Progressive Business Forum gala dinner on Thursday evening, Ramaphosa said the conference is a watershed moment for the ANC and South Africa at large.
Ramaphosa said the conference will test the party on its commitment to renewal and economic transformation
“This year’s conference is a watershed moment, not only for the African National Congress, but for all of us as South Africans. It is a test of whether, we will continue to remain faithful to the renewal of the African National Congress and to the transformation of our economy and society, for it is only a united African National Congress, that can unite the people of South Africa.
“The people of South Africa continue to store their hope and confidence in the ability of the African National Congress to review itself, to forge unity within its own ranks and to therefore consolidate the unity that we should have as a nation.
“Only an ANC that has rid itself of undesirable tendencies and practices, can seriously have the ability to unite the ANC itself, and South Africa.”
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