Live from Nasrec
Wrapped: ANC conference adjourned until 5 January, Ramaphosa calls for unity in closing address
Daily Maverick is reporting live from the ANC National Elective Conference, held at Nasrec in Johannesburg.
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It’s a messy end to a conference full of delays but ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa looking like a mighty relieved person. – Ferial Haffajee
Because of time constraints the ANC could not adopt any reports coming from commissions. – Queenin Masuabi
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says the party does not have a two-thirds delegates quorum to pass constitutional amendments. There are many seats empty. – Ferial Haffajee
Mbalula says ‘super-delegate from Nkandla’ Jacob Zuma left before the end of the ANC’s elective conference. (Comment: He had a bad time with attention-seeking antics bombing.) – Ferial Haffajee
Fikile Mbalula’s first substantive act as Secretary General was to announce the unprecedented pausing of a conference because of delays. – Stephen Grootes
ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver a “round-up” speech. – Queenin Masuabi
In an unprecedented announcement, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula said the conference will adjourn to 5 January when it goes into hybrid mode in the provinces. “We are under pressure… People have to leave, the majority because of transport,” Mbalula says. – Marianne Merten
The ANC is expected to adjourn the elective conference to the 5th of January. Voting for NEC members is still underway. – Queenin Masuabi
By Nonkululeko Njilo
ANC women’s hopes — Emancipation expectations weigh heavy on Maropene Ramokgopa
Those who have been closely following the ANC’s politics over the years would know that the newly-elected “second” deputy secretary general of the ANC is no new kid on the block, having been deployed to critical positions by three ANC presidents.
By Queenin Masuabi
Count, and count again – electoral committee defends ‘transparent’ process to pick Top Seven
The ANC Electoral Committee, led by former party deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe, has had the arduous task of monitoring the highly contested leadership race, and believes its processes ‘can stand up to scrutiny’.
The final list of “Renewal” candidates who will be vying to be in the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) has been announced. This is the group aligned to ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa. – Queenin Masuabi
By Marianne Merten
With ANC election done, here’s what’s next on Ramaphosa’s list: The crumbling state, Cabinet reshuffle, 2024 polls
Ramaphosa remains in Luthuli House and the Union Buildings, set to steer a governing party that’s admitted to being in an existential crisis and in decline.
By Rebecca Davis
Ramaphosa, Mashatile & Newco – These are the ANC’s Top Seven
The incoming Top Seven of the ANC sees a return of three members, with four new arrivals. We take a look at the new team at the top of the ruling party.
By Malibongwe Tyilo
Satirically Speaking: The South Africa Show’s Xmas Special — Somebody please check on Daddy’s little Dudu and her pet RETs
The South Africa Show’s portrayal of a daughter’s love for her father, her Machiavellian machinations to save him from his fate, and her eventual descent into madness, make for one of the most tragically captivating performances ever seen on screen. Brava!!!!
By Tim Cohen
Ramaphosa, renewal and the vision thing
There is an old joke about a journalist who asks three CEOs the same question: What is the secret of your success? Amazingly, they all answer the same way, asking, ‘How did you get into my office?’
By Chris Makhaye
Zuma’s influence on the wane as KZN fails to deliver at ANC conference
As soon as the results of the ANC’s 55th national conference were announced, it became clear that the biggest loser was the KwaZulu-Natal ANC — ironically, the province with the largest number of delegates at 877.
By ‘Nonkululeko Njilo and Velani Ludidi
I feel absolutely gorgeous’ – joy (and some weeping) over Ramaphosa’s victory
Cyril Ramaphosa’s victory in retaining his position as ANC president was greeted with great joy and excitement by his followers and deep sadness and some tears from those who vigorously campaigned against his re-election until the last minute.
Three things you need to know:
1. Ramaphosa gets another term as ANC president – and perhaps a second as country president
In a keenly watched contest for the role of ANC president, Ramaphosa has won a second term by an extended win of 579 votes against the reed-slim margin of 179 votes five years ago. It’s not a thunderbolt win, but it does give him the space to continue his reform drive.
At this point, the ANC’s majority win at the ballot in 2024 is tenuous, but Ramaphosa’s victory does give him a stonking chance at a second term as President.
2. Paul Mashatile played a deft hand
The other winner in the ANC electoral contest is 61-year-old Paul Mashatile, who becomes party deputy president. We think he will want to be the country’s deputy president as soon as possible. Watch this space in 2023.
3. 1100-odd votes that went splat – will there be a Cabinet reshuffle?
Mashatile may be in with a chance because the incumbent deputy president David Mabuza was roundly thrashed at the conference. It’s all eyes on what he will do.
Two other Cabinet ministers also now have careers scrambled like eggs. Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma came a cropper as her campaign fizzled and she conceded after saying she would contest a position from the floor.
She couldn’t secure the 1,100 votes needed for nomination. Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu was an isolated and marginal figure at the conference as she allied with various parallel stunts of the RET faction of the party.
Sisulu entered the presidential campaign as a woman who wanted to be president. She leaves it as someone who made serious miscalculations. We believe a Cabinet reshuffle in 2023 is imminent.
– Ferial Haffajee
By Ed Stoddard
Rand, bonds gain briskly on news Ramaphosa won second term as ANC president
Call it ‘Ramaphoria lite’: financial markets have a tentative thumbs up to President Cyril Ramaphosa being elected to a second term as president of the ruling ANC. The post-holiday hangover looms.
By Queenin Masuabi
Ramaphosa allies form slim majority in top seven while Mashatile, Mokonyane balance the numbers
Newly-elected ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa has officially dismantled his detractors with officials from the Renew22 camp.
These results will mean shake-ups in both Cabinet and elsewhere in Luthuli House. The position of current ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe now looks untenable, for instance, after he campaigned unsuccessfully for the Treasurer-General position under the Zweli Mkhize slate and vocally supported Mkhize in the race against Ramaphosa. – Rebecca Davis
The total number of voters and votes cast.
Total eligible voters: 4436
Total votes cast: 4386
Ballots counted: 4384
Two ballots were confiscated after delegates were caught taking pictures of their ballot papers.
It is a bad outcome indeed for the RET faction, and legal challenges are probably ahead. – Rebecca Davis
With the counting concluded, the Ramaphosa slate has emerged victorious in 5 out of 7 positions – leaving only RET’s Nomvula Mokonyane winning the Deputy Secretary General position, and Paul Mashatile – who refused to back either Ramaphosa or Zweli Mkhize formally – as deputy president. – Rebecca Davis
Huge win for Ramaphosa as his ally, Dr Gwen Ramokgopa becomes ANC treasurer. It’s a vexed job though as the party is always empty pockets these days. – Ferial Haffajee
Concluding an excellent set of results for the Ramaphosa camp, Gwen Ramakgopa takes the treasurer general position with 1809 votes. – Rebecca Davis
My big question? How soon before Paul Mashatile wants to be deputy president of the country? – Ferial Haffajee
The voting margins are tight tight tight, indicating the tough fights among the slates – Marianne Merten
And another win for CR slate as Maropene Ramakgopa takes the second deputy secretary general position with 2 373 votes. – Marianne Merten
Nomvula Mokonyane becomes the first deputy secretary-general of the ANC. She wins narrowly over Tina Joemat-Pettersson – Ferial Haffajee
The 44 votes that kept Gwede Mantashe as National Chairperson are crucial for Cyril Ramaphosa… A trusted alley. And Fikile Mbalula as SG with 102 votes over Stanley Mathabatha. First deputy SG went to Nomvula Mokonyane, with just 50 more than votes. – Marianne Merten
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula will now have to resign his job as the position of ANC secretary-general is a full-time one. He has just won the position at the ANC’s elective conference. – Ferial Haffajee
The failure of the campaigns of Justice Minister Ronald Lamola and of Finance Minister David Masondo shows the ANC is not ready for young leaders. – Ferial Haffajee
Gwede Mantashe stays as national chairperson with just over 40 votes. Mantashe received 2062 votes against Stanley Mathabatha’s 2018. Perhaps the most crucial 44 votes for Ramaphosa. – Marianne Merten
Paul Mashatile is elected as deputy president with 2178 votes. – Marianne Merten
Ramaphosa has increased his margin of victory by 400 votes compared with 2017 when he was first elected ANC President – Ferial Haffajee
Cyril Ramaphosa is re-elected as ANC president. He wins by 579 votes.
Votes cast are as follows:
Cyril Ramaphosa: 2 476
Zweli Mkhize: 1 897
The previous National Executive Committee (NEC) is resolved and members leave the stage.
As chairperson of the ANC elections committee, former president Kgalema Motlanthe has been a steady pair of hands in a difficult campaign. – Ferial Haffajee
ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe addresses delegates. He says he is now handing over to the chairperson of the election committee to announce the results. Mantashe says he will also be handing over to the newly elected chairperson.
Delegates are arriving slowly. ANC outgoing chairperson Gwede Mantashe will convene the plenary where results will be announced soon. The media has just been called to the plenary. – Ferial Haffajee
In a message to provincial secretaries, acting secretary general Paul Mashatile summoned delegates to the plenary. No word yet to the media about the election results. – Queenin Masuabi
Three things you need to know near the end of Day Three:
1. Cyril Ramaphosa’s final running team
This is the team that President Cyril Ramaphosa went into the final voting round of the ANC conference with.
He ditched Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Ronald Lamola for the party’s Eastern Cape boss Oscar Mabuyane.
This is a blow for commitment to generational change in ANC leadership – in other words, for the oldies to give way to fresh blood. Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul confirmed the final Ramaphosa team to Daily Maverick’s Queenin Masuabi.
Ramaphosa’s team believes he will be re-elected on a larger majority than in 2017 where he won by a razor-slim 179 votes.
2. What will deputy president David Mabuza do next?
A senior member of the Mpumalanga delegation confirmed to the Daily Maverick’s Velani Ludidi that the province is supporting Ramaphosa.
A vaunted nomination from the floor for Mabuza did not materialise on Day 2 of the ANC conference.
This leaves Mabuza at sea.
We are watching to see what he does: resign and return to his provincial stronghold to build back his base? Or stay on as deputy president of the country?
3. A question: no matter what happens, will we get the President we need as South Africans if Ramaphosa scores a second term as party president?
The President will be hemmed in by opposition factional interests on the party’s national executive committee, some of whom have really dodgy pasts. The answer depends on the margin of his support which will be clear by tomorrow morning.
By Chris Makhaye
On the road to Nasrec: See us, hear us, demand Khoisan leaders
As thousands of delegates were deliberating and going about their business, two Khoisan leaders staged a lonely protest on the road to the conference venue for several days.
By Ferial Haffajee
No Stage 6 at Nasrec: From a people’s congress to an animal farm
In earlier years, you could walk easily among delegates, getting to know them and hearing them and developing a sense of who the ANC is. We had exposure to great minds, which immeasurably improved the quality of my reporting. That started changing about 2007 at the ANC’s Polokwane conference as the battle lines hardened. The meetings became dominated by the ethos of the security state.
ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe has come out in support of presidential candidate Dr Zweli Mkhize. He told a group of delegates: “We are all going to vote for Khabazela as our president. When we leave here, the ANC is going to have a newly elected president. That president is none other than Zweli Mkhize.”
Looks like this on again, off-again love 💕 affair is off again. The race I have big eyes on is whether Paul Mashatile becomes ANC deputy president. If so, our political landscape shifts. – Ferial Haffajee
By Chris Makhaye and Nonkululeko Njilo
Last minute horse trading with KwaZulu-Natal sees Limpopo delegates at odds over voting for Ramaphosa
One of the most dramatic twists of the 55th ANC national elective conference is the last-minute drama and confusion about which way the Limpopo delegation was going to vote in the leadership contests, especially around the party’s top job.
Who’s voting for the Top Seven today?
Three things you need to know
It was a late night or early morning session as the ANC delegates to the Nasrec conference decided on voting for the Top Seven candidates
1. The ballot that delegates will be voting on is now final.
Lobbyists for both presidential contenders ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa and former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize claim their candidate is in pole position.
Ramaphosa received almost double the branch nominations that Mkhize did, but the doctor’s lobbyists say his supporters disguised their intentions so as to get to the conference.
Note the competition between Nomvula Mama Action Mokonyane and Tina ‘Atomic Tina’ Joemat-Pettersson for the position of deputy secretary-general.
The former energy minister earned the moniker ‘Atomic Tina’ when she pushed hard to get former President Jacob Zuma’s nuclear deal through at the height of state capture.
Read: Ramaphosa and Mkhize in ‘neck-and-neck battle’ for ANC’s top job – NEC insider
2. Some careers flamed out spectacularly overnight.
Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma declined a nomination from the floor ending her bid to become ANC and country President.
Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu’s campaign never properly started, and she’s taken a political splattering too.
Dlamini-Zuma is facing disciplinary action for voting against the party line at Parliament this week in relation to the Phala Phala report.
Read: Leadership nominations finalised after delays and horse-trading amid plentiful slate permutations
3. Deputy President David Mabuza is out in the ANC cold.
This is the humdinger.
The ANC deputy president who went into the 2017 conference as the kingmaker failed in a last-ditch rumoured bid to even make a nomination from the floor.
Will he stay as South Africa’s deputy president or return to Mpumalanga to rebuild his base? That’s a big question.
Read: DD ‘Destiny Denied’ Mabuza — it is cold outside the ANC factions’ warm embrace
– Ferial Haffajee
How will voting work? Watch here:
On Day Three of the conference voting for the Top Seven is underway. Here’s what you missed on Day Two:
After an extended delay into Day Two, the conference finally adopted official credentials. This is essentially a register of all the delegates in attendance and is important because it determines who is allowed to vote.
Deputy president David Mabuza delivered a scathing organisational report about the state of the party. It revealed how, among other things, former president Jacob Zuma’s ongoing corruption case in KZN continues to, “reverberate in the corridors of the ANC”. Read more about it here.
During a session on constitutional amendments, the party voted to create a new position for a second deputy secretary general. The position of deputy secretary general is now effectively split into two: the first will deal with politics, the second with administration.
The ANC therefore now has a Top Seven leadership.
Nominations for the Top Seven were finalised — in an open session that went into the dead of the night — so that voting could start Sunday morning at 09:00.
By Queenin Masuabi
Mokonyane’s supporters unhappy with ‘late’ Joemat Pettersson challenge, vote for ANC leaders expected this morning
The squabble over nominations came in when Elexions Agency director general Bontle Mpakanyane recognised a delegate from the Northern Cape but only allowed them to make a nomination after mentioning that the process is closed.
By Marianne Merten
Leadership nominations finalised after delays and horse-trading amid plentiful slate permutations
Almost 48 hours behind schedule and after much caucusing, cajoling and horse-trading, the incoming ANC top officials were finally officially nominated early on Sunday. Voting was scheduled from 9am on Sunday morning.
Nominations for the ANC’s top leadership positions are as follows:
For president: Cyril Ramaphosa and Zweli Mkhize
For deputy president: Ronald Lamola, Oscar Mabuyane and Paul Mashatile
For chairperson: Stanley Mathabatha, Gwede Mantashe and David Masondo
For secretary general: Mdumiseni Ntuli, Phumulo Masualle, Fikile Mbalula
For first deputy secretary general: Nomvula Mokonyane and Tina Joemat-Pettersson
For second deputy secretary general: Maropene Ramokgopa and Ronalda Nalomanga
For treasurer general: Bejani Chauke, Pule Mabe, Mwandile Masina and Gwen Ramakgopa
Voting starts at 09:00 on Sunday.
Cyril Ramaphosa and Zweli Mkhize are on the ballot. Now a nomination for #NDZ has come from the floor. She has to decided to decline the nomination. – Queenin Masuabi
By Nonkululeke Njilo
ANC’s Integrity Commission to summon 97 leaders named in Zondo State Capture report
The ANC’s ethical watchdog says it plans to engage with the 97 members named in the Zondo Commission report on State Capture who might have a case to answer.
“Do not be misled by the numbers [from the branch nominations],” Dakota Legoete, an ANC National Executive Committee member and deputy head of organising in the ANC,” told Daily Maverick’s Chris Makhaye.
“Lobbyists are meeting behind the scenes. In the conference, ANC members are allowed to lobby each other and agree on certain candidates. This thing [leadership contest] is not over until the proverbial fat lady sings.”
By Chris Makhaye
Ramaphosa and Mkhize in ‘neck-and-neck battle’ for ANC’s top job – NEC insider
The contest for the ANC’s top job between President Cyril Ramaphosa and former health minister Zweli Mkhize will be ‘neck and neck’, says Dakota Legoete, an ANC National Executive Committee member and deputy head of organising in the ANC.
The conference is currently in a closed session discussing amendments to the party’s constitution. The discussions will include a debate about whether a second deputy secretary general should be appointed. Once this is done, the media will be called in for Top Six nominations. – Queenin Masuabi
What’s on the agenda for Day Two?
- The conference credentials are scheduled to be adopted.
- ANC deputy president David Mabuza will table the organisational report, as the acting secretary general, Paul Mashatile, who is also treasurer general, will deliver the financial report.
- The conference is also expected to receive feedback from the Integrity Commission chair George Mashamba.
- Any additional nominations for the party’s Top Six leadership positions will be accepted from the conference floor, before voting will begin.
- A candidate has to have the support of 25% of delegates present to receive a nomination from the floor.
- According to the official conference agenda, voting for the party’s Top Six leaders will begin on Saturday.
By Malibongwe Tyilo
Satirically Speaking: The South Africa Show – ANC Conference Xmas Special, a masterclass in cinematography with director Pule Mabe
Ahead of the screening of the second episode of The South Africa Show: ANC Conference Xmas special, the film’s co-director and occasional Barbara Streisand, Pule Mabe, sat down with members of the media to share his insights on the power of collaborative filmmaking, the camera lens, and how well-directed cinematography has the power to shape a narrative.
By Queenin Masuabi
Provincial leadership lashes Ramaphosa heckling by defiant ANC KwaZulu-Natal delegates
The behaviour of a group of ANC KwaZulu-Natal delegates who heckled party president Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday has been condemned by the provincial leaders of the organisation.
The credentials report is being presented by Senzo Mchunu. This document shows exactly how many delegates will be voting and which provinces they are from. It will be debated in plenary and once it’s adopted, nominations will go ahead. – Queenin Masuabi
By Rebecca Davis
Zuma’s attempt to privately prosecute Ramaphosa is nonsense, say experts
The ANC’s RET faction has delivered what it seems to consider its killer blow: a notification from former president Jacob Zuma that he will privately prosecute President Cyril Ramaphosa. The response from legal experts? This is ludicrously invalid.
Three things you need to know about the second day of conference:
1. No Stage 6 at Nasrec ANC conference venue as it is exempted from rolling blackouts
The SAPS received an exemption from rolling blackouts from Johannesburg’s electricity utility City Power so that the ANC conference will not experience the Stage 6 power cuts roiling the country. Earlier this week, Johannesburg mayor Mpho Phalatse requested an exemption from Eskom because floods had turned the city into a disaster zone. Included among some areas exempted was the ANC conference venue at Nasrec, south of Johannesburg. “The exclusion is to assist security operations in the area due to the presence of high security-risk persons such as the president of the country, deputy president and the government ministers,” said City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena in a statement. Mangena said the city often exempted big events.
Marianne Merten’s Reporter’s Notebook is a must-read.
2. Nothing happens on Day 2 of ANC conference – at least, nothing of consequence
Thanks to registration and accreditation system issues, nothing much happened on the second day of the ANC conference. The party’s deputy president David Mabuza said in his organisational report that the party is in an existential crisis. But hey, we knew that already. Lobbyists for both President Cyril Ramaphosa and his chief contender, former health minister Zweli Mkhize, claim they will win. Voting gets underway later tonight with first results (maybe, just maybe) expected on Sunday, 18 December. The registration and accreditation systems are highly contested because they determine who gets to vote.
Here’s Queenin Masuabi on the State of the Race, with news about a sneaky new voting system.
3. We fact-check RET faction claims that the ANC elections agency is conflicted. We find it’s not true.
Instead, it could be a gambit by the RET faction of the party to place pegs in the ground, should it need to dispute the election outcome.
Rebecca Davis did the fact-check.
Please keep an eye out for our Daily Briefing from the conference. In this first episode, Daily Maverick’s Queenin Masuabi gives you a breakdown of the first day. Let us know what you would like to hear about.
– Ferial Haffajee
To receive the Three Things you need to know in you inbox every day, sign up for our newsletter, ANC Elects.
By Nonkululeko Njilo
Duarte’s death, Magashule’s suspension and Zuma’s corruption case a testing time for the ANC — internal report
The ANC’s organisational report presented by incumbent party deputy president David Mabuza, at a closed session at the ANC’s 55th national conference on Saturday, has revealed the extent to which the challenges confronting the Secretary-General’s Office have placed it under significant strain in supporting the top five officials and the entire organisation.
By Queenin Masuabi
Change in the ANC’s Top Six voting system sets the cat among the pigeons
As the party’s national elective conference gets into gear, a new method of choosing the Top Six opens the way for losing candidates to have a second crack at high office – and there’s certainly no shortage of contenders.
Read: Cash-strapped ANC considers selling off assets to pay off R500m in arrears
That registration of delegates was a nightmare emerged on Day 1 of the ANC 2022 elective conference, the start of which was delayed to post lunch, but then 2pm became 4pm. Those tags are crucial to show the legitimate right to attend, and they allow access to plenary, commission and elsewhere. – Marianne Merten
By Ray Mahlaka
Godongwana refuses to budge on the 10% pay rise demand by public sector trade unions
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana believes that pay rise negotiations for 2022 are done and dusted because he recently implemented a 3% increase for public servants. Trade unions representing public servants see it differently. The unions have argued that negotiations are still ongoing because they have rejected the government’s 3% increase.
By Marianne Merten
Reporter’s Notebook: Corralled media, accreditation messiness – the not-the-ANC conference
With journalists corralled behind fences, watched by police and ANC marshals, the sellers of party regalia and food hawkers who traditionally gather at governing party elective indabas are kept even further away – way past the Nasrec entrance at the intersection with the Nyala, razor wire and security troops.
By Chris Makhaye
Gauteng ANC defends Premier Lesufi saying party leaders who have run out of ideas must quit
The Gauteng African National Congress (ANC) has defended utterances made by its leader and Premier Panyaza Lesufi on the eve of the 55th national conference.
Paul Mashatile is presenting the treasury/financial report. Delegates have not been given a physical copy of the report yet. – Velani Ludidi
City Power through a NatJoints request has excluded Nasrec from load shedding. – Ferial Haffajee
The ANC is now going to discuss its financial report. This is important because the party’s coffers have run dry throughout 2022. It has faced multiple staff strikes and had to settle SARS and UIF bills. – Ferial Haffajee
By Rebecca Davis
ANC electoral committee rejects RET’s EleXions Agency conflict of interest charge
With their backs to the wall, the ANC’s Radical Economic Transformation faction is trying last-ditch desperate gambits. Primary among them: The claim that the independent body which administers the ANC’s internal elections is biased towards President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Pule Mabe says Nasrec has alternative power generation and therefore did not experience load shedding. It did not apply for an exemption. When there’s no electricity in Johannesburg, there’s no electricity at Luthuli House. – Ferial Haffajee
Mabe addresses the question of whether there will be enough time to get through the entire conference agenda, given that the conference is already running behind schedule.
“We are working around the clock to ensure conference is proceeding as planned…
“We’ll use today to deal with all reports and the nominations of officials and possibly the voting for officials as well.”
Mabe says everything is running according to plan.
ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe says the conference is underway. Deputy president David Mabuza is currently delivering the organisational report in a closed session. After the report is accepted, ANC Treasurer General Paul Mashatile will delivering the financial report.
Mashatile is expected to deliver the party’s financial report today. The draft financial report was delivered to the NEC at the weekend and indicated the dire state of the governing party’s finances, as reported by Queenin Masuabi here:
Cash-strapped ANC considers selling off assets to pay off R500m in arrears
Day Two is off to a slow start. A media briefing is expected to start in the next few minutes.
By Chris Makhaye
Opposing protests on the periphery of the ANC’s 55th National Conference set the tone for a bruising contest
There is no more telltale sign that the ANC National Conference is deeply divided than the opposing protests on the corners of Nasrec and Rand Show Roads on Friday, on day one.
The 55th ANC Conference in pictures – Day One
Here’s a recap of what happened on Day One:
- The conference kicked off on Friday with an open plenary session with interdenominational prayers and the national anthem.
- After the start of the day’s proceedings were delayed by 7 hours, there was just enough time for ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa to deliver the political report, which he ended with a call for purpose, fortitude and self-belief from party members.
- The remaining agenda items were postponed to Saturday.
- Former president Jacob Zuma entered the plenary as Ramaphosa started to deliver the report, leading his already rowdy supporters to disrupt the president’s address.
- On Saturday, ANC deputy president David Mabuza will table the organisational report, as the acting secretary general, Paul Mashatile, who is also the treasurer general, will deliver the financial report.
- Voting for the party’s top six leaders will also take place on Saturday.
By Marianne Merten
Ramaphosa’s sharp State Capture comments in an otherwise flat speech – as conference survives to fight another day
Aside from hard points on State Capture and ANC division, polite applause was pretty much all that President Ramaphosa got, on delivery of his political report. The ‘polite’ response from delegates after earlier disruptive chants. Signalling a tough weekend ahead.
By Malibongwe Tyilo
Satirically Speaking: The South Africa Show’s Xmas Special – ANC Conference voted best soundtrack ever!
Today is a day of rejoicing, for song has returned in full surround sound to the fictional nation portrayed in The South Africa Show.
By Velani Ludidi
ANC conference off to a shaky start — long delays, grandstanding and anti-Ramaphosa chants
As expected, the ANC’s 55th National Conference in Nasrec, Johannesburg, started late. It was met with pickets outside and drama inside.
Can Somebody Help Her With The Cap Lock? – Ferial Haffajee
Ramaphosa on state capture: “Guided by one of the resolutions of our last conference, we set up the Commission of Inquiry on State Capture. The Commission has produced a detailed and deeply disturbing account of the nature, extent and mechanics of state capture.
“From the deliberations and resolutions of this conference, we must ensure that we use the work of the State Capture Commission to consolidate and intensify the efforts against state capture, and ensure that those responsible – wherever they may be located – face the full might of the law. We know that there will be resistance; but this must strengthen our resolve so we can protect and advance the gains of our revolution.”
Ramaphosa on crime: “We have done much to restore the capabilities and credibility of the National Prosecuting Authority, the South African Police Service, the Hawks and the State Security Agency. We are recruiting significant numbers of new police personnel, strengthening the Public Order Policing Unit and working to re-vitalise community policing forums.
“We will not allow gangs and extortionists to damage our public infrastructure or extort money from businesses.”
Ramaphosa addresses load shedding: “To date, nearly R3 billion has been recovered by Eskom alone and a further R5 billion is being claimed in various court processes. The process to restructure Eskom into three separate state-owned entities responsible for generation, transmission and distribution is at an advanced stage, creating the conditions for greater financial and operational efficiency.
“We have started with interventions to purchase emergency power.”
By Rebecca Davis
How did Tony Yengeni’s criminal record get expunged? Legal experts dispute validity
ANC NEC member Tony Yengeni successfully appealed against his disqualification from election at the ANC’s leadership conference on the basis that his old criminal record had been expunged. But advocacy group Freedom Under Law says that this is legally impossible.
The President’s been speaking for an hour with short disruptions. It’s rigmarole. And he hasn’t said a word about biting power cuts yet. – Ferial Haffajee
Ramaphosa is finally able to deliver his address after Mantashe threatened that security take the rabble-rousers out of the room.
Ramaphosa is now delivering his political report. As he started speaking, Jacob Zuma entered the plenary, igniting several minutes of cheering for the former president.
ANC deputy president David Mabuza and ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa at the ANC National Elective Conference, waiting to join the opening plenary session.
Stephen Grootes
NEC’s decision to quash Phala Phala panel report proves the ANC is (still) the only game in town
The ANC’s supremacy allows the party to retain all of the power without giving up any to other parties. And it means that any decisions about President Cyril Ramaphosa’s future will come only from within the ANC.
By Marianne Merten
Phala Phala, Parliament, Eskom: Ruling party is closing ranks again, playing ANC vs Everyone Else
ANC elective years are, by the governing party’s own admission, disruptive – even outside party ranks. Amid chatter of slates, deals and cash for votes, few in government are prepared to stick out their heads and take firm decisions on South Africa’s governance and political economy.
By Ferial Haffajee
As Stage 6 hits, Pravin Gordhan could be next through the swing doors
The Presidency fears the electricity crisis is part of a destabilisation plan ahead of the ANC’s elective conference.
The ANC is expecting 6,700 delegates from across the country to attend the conference. All the delegates have to be registered and shepherded into the Nasrec conference centre where the gathering is taking place.
‘I am still an ANC member’, says perennial troublemaker Carl Niehaus after party gives him the boot
Presidency spokesperson says South Africa facing an “all out war” well beyond political contestation. – Ferial Haffajee
ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe confirms that the start of the conference has been delayed to 14:00 due to issues with delegate registrations. “I’m told they are struggling at the registration centre,” Mantashe says. – Marianne Merten
SABC’s Samkele Maseko reporting that suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule is trying to broker a peace deal between Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize. Dlamini-Zuma is still planning a run for the ANC Presidency from the floor. She will need the support of 25% of voting delegates to get across the threshold. – Ferial Haffajee
By Queenin Masuabi
ANC membership numbers drop from 1.4 million to 600,000
The run-up to the ANC National Conference has seen candidates conduct last-minute campaigning to convince branches to vote them into leadership positions. During his address in Soweto to a small group of ANC members, National Executive Committee member and presidential hopeful Zweli Mkhize spoke on a number of issues facing the party and the country.
By Nonkululeko Njilo
Disgruntled ANC members lose legal bid to annul list of NEC nominations
Party members who failed to make the cut cited flawed internal processes and a lack of transparency that had prejudiced them.
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These useless thieving people ( not all of them) all playing “grownups” at the conference this weekend – it’s hilarious! How can any South African of all races, colours and creeds take this seriously after what we’ve been through in the last 10 years!
I have just shared an extensive comment that your system advises apparently did not up load. A problem retrieving, if I recall the wording correctly. Please will you advise if per chance it up loaded.
Sad. Unbelievably sad. Zuma would rather see SA burn than prosper.