The Top seven celebrating their victory Photo Nasreen Naidoo
The Top seven are known and the dust is finally beginning to settle at Nasrec. President Cyril Ramaphosa has been re-elected to serve a second term as ANC president, with Paul Mashatile serving as his deputy. Stick with us as Salaamedia brings you live coverage of the ANC’ 55th National Elective Conference. Read about what transpired on Monday here.
Update: Makhura: 2024 will be important for our country not only because we have an election, but also because we look back at 1994.
The ANC needs to convene a series of strategy sessions not just of the ANC but to bring along the democratic forces and progressive society to look at how far we’ve evolved and to look at what the next decade should look like.
Update: Makhura says climate change is a crisis and requires a strategic global response.
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Makhura: The impact on youth in different parts of the world is not the same. #ANC55
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) December 20, 2022
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Makhura: As a result of this shift, the commissions looked at the need for the ANC to be absolutely clear when our government participates in global forums. #ANC55
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) December 20, 2022
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Kubayi: Most of our borrowing is from local banks. Only around 10% comes from outside. It isn’t true that we’ve taken more money from the World Bank and IMF. #ANC55
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) December 20, 2022
Update: There is no doubt the country has to transition but the transition must not come at the expense of people says Kubayi.
The Covid-19 SRD grant has show the government a basic grant is needed. It is up to government to now find funding for it she says.
Update: Kubayi says we are the only country that doesn’t look after their military veterans. They are now looking at “infusion of this into our policies”.
Kubayi: We are emphasising the opportunities given by the digital economy. #ANC55
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) December 20, 2022
Update: Kubayi says a firm emphasis must be placed on the economy and there must be an end to construction mafias.
Update: Kubayi: On financial sector transformation, we emphasised around the need to deal with available capital for SMMEs, women, youth, disability and military veteran enterprises.
We reaffirmed as the economic commission that we support the issues of social grants, especially a basic grant and expanding opportunities.
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Kubayi: On macroeconomic policy, there was a debate around whether current policies are assisting us or not. We have agreed and will recommend is that gov. must use fiscal policy to spend money on areas where it can grow. #ANC55
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) December 20, 2022
Update: The chairs of various commissions are now addressing the media. First up is Mmamoloko Kubayi.
Update: Mbalula concludes by saying it is either renewal or death. “That’s what we must do. It must be felt and it must be seen”.
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Mbalula: The president has pronounced a thorough understanding on conference. #ANC55
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) December 20, 2022
Update: Nomvula Mokonyane: The decision to create a second DSG is part of the modernisation progress.
The agenda is based on the aims of the ANC. It is also to ensure we have the capacity to be gender-sensitive as well as ensuring that we respond to issues that affect women.
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Press briefing by three of the ANC Top 7 officials. #ANC55 pic.twitter.com/SxKrXlNr99
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) December 20, 2022
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Update: Ramaphosa thanks the donors who made conference possible as well as media personal for their coverage of the conference.
Update: Ramaphosa: We need to employ people because they are competent, not because they are connected to other people. The patronage that may have existed in the past must come to an end. We must show no mercy to those who steal from the poor.
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Ramaphosa: All of you here view the ANC as an org. that must be renewed and united. We can only confront those challenges of our nation. If the ANC is divided, we’ll never be able to build an economy. #ANC55
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) December 20, 2022
Update: Ramaphosa admits steps to eradicate corruption may be met with resistance but the organisation must deal with it or perish.
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Ramaphosa: Corruption is a threat to the existence of our movement. We have not done to end corruption and reverse the effects of state capture. #ANC55
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) December 20, 2022
Update: Ramaphosa: We have agreed to overhaul and harmonise immigration laws to meet the challenges of our society.
Ramaphosa: This conference has placed women firmly in the centre. We must welcome that three of the Top 7 officials are women. #ANC55
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) December 20, 2022
Update: Ramaphosa: Land reform is necessary for the growth of an inclusive economy that can realise the potential of our resources.
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Ramaphosa: There’s no other reason for us to seek election to positions of leadership other than to serve the people of this country. #ANC55
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) December 20, 2022
Update: The president admits mistakes have been made and have even brought the party to the brink of destruction but “we have been able to pull ourselves back”.
Update: Ramaphosa: This conference has in many ways proven to be a watershed moment in the history of our movement. The discussions have been robust; at times loud and noisy but always sought to unite us.
Update: Ramaphosa: The branches have spoken, by choosing the leadership that will emerge from here. That is the democracy of the ANC.
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Ramaphosa: There’ve been moments that have tested our unity. But this conference is going to continue solidifying the unity of the African National Congress. #ANCNC55
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) December 20, 2022
Update: President Cyril Ramaphosa’s closing address begins before the 55th conference adjourns the first part of business.
Update: Mbalula says a number of delegates have began to return home therefore, it’s not possible to adopt resolutions.
Mbalula: It was clear that national conference will have neither the time nor the majority to adopt constitutional amendments. The conference will now adjourn and continue in a hybrid form in January.
Mbalula: Conference will adjourn until January 6, 2023. #ANCNC55
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) December 20, 2022
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Mbalula: We engaged in deliberations under commissions that led to a number of debates. #ANCNC55
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) December 20, 2022
Update: Mbalula confirms the decision that the conference will be postponed to the 5 January. Ramaphosa will still give his closing statement.
Update: Mbalula says the results of the additional top 80 NEC members will be made tonight or tomorrow.
Newly-elected secretary general Fikile Mbalula says the conference will adjourn now and the announcement of the NEC will be made ‘either tonight or tomorrow’. #ANC55
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) December 20, 2022
Update: LIVE| ‘You can’t put 50-year olds and expect them to understand the issues of young people,’ says Johannesburg spokesperson of the ANC Youth League Penuel Maduna.
Update: Voting for the additional NEC members is taking place. Delegates from the Western Cape, Northen Cape and Limpopo have finished voted. Next up is delegates from the Free State, KZN and Gauteng.
Update: The ANC is only allowing camera operators and photographers to a walk about by the ANC’s top officials. The top seven and re-elected President Cyril Ramaphosa are conducting the walk about at Hall 5.
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#ANCNC55| It’s a slow morning, but here’s what to expect on Day 5:
– Briefings from chairs of the various commissions on policy decisions
– The first briefing from the newly-elected Top 7
– President Cyril Ramaphosa’s closing address (if they can conclude soon enough) pic.twitter.com/ANfCMmylXs— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) December 20, 2022