Newly re-elected ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa today accepted a proposal by the steering committee to adjourn the ANC’s 55th National Elective Conference to January 5.

He said this during his closing remarks at the plenary hall in Nasrec where he outlined the events of the conference. “This is not unusual; we had many conferences and this has happened. Thank you delegates for agreeing to this proposal. January 5 will be followed by the 111th ANC anniversary in Mangaung.

“This conference proved to be a watershed moment in the life of the ANC. The discussions have been robust, however, uniting the ANC – although there have been moments that tested our position.”

Ramaphosa thanked the delegates for their discipline. “The branches have spoken and chosen the leadership; this is democracy,” he said.

He mentioned that more interventions are needed, especially in rural and township areas. “We need to implement the decisions we took here without fail.”

The number of female delegates must be increased, he added. “We need to practice the equality we are speaking of,” he said.

He said that while the ANC has had a difficult journey since 2017, characterised by errors, the challenges ultimately helped build and unite the organisation.

“We can confront any challenges if we are united; if we are divided, we cannot build a South Africa that provides jobs. We must remove all the obstacles to foster economic growth. We will fix schools, hospitals, roads and water issues.”

In addition, he said people who are competent and committed must be employed, rather than those who ‘are connected to other people’.

“We will show no mercy to people who steal money [meant] for the poor,” he vowed.
Ramaphosa said as delegates return to their provinces and branches, they must continue to serve our country.