Delegates of the ANC’s 55^th national conference are expected to work through the night to take important policy decisions that party president Cyril Ramaphosa says will determine if the party can overcome its internal challenges – as well as the crises facing the country.

The conference reopened this morning in a hybrid format – with nine decentralised but virtually connected hubs – after adjourning on December 20.

In his opening address, Ramaphosa explained that delegates will receive reports from the various commissions that sat during the first part of the conference. In addition, he said they would also adopt the draft resolutions that were formulated, as well as the conference declaration.

The ANC is expected to address the media about decisions taken tomorrow, after the conference business is concluded.

“The decisions that we take today will have far-reaching impacts on the ANC and the country,” he said. “These decisions will determine whether we can reverse.

“The people of South Africa are looking to this 55th National Conference to set out a very clear, credible programme on the action that will directly address the crises that affect our country today.”

He added that the conference needs to send a clear signal to voters that the ANC will take all the necessary steps to deal with the country’s challenges, specifically unemployment, poverty, inequality, the rising costs of living, crime, poor service delivery and load-shedding.

Looking back at the five days in December, Ramaphosa said delegates took a firm stance against corruption within the ranks of the ANC, the state and across society.

“Through the deliberations in commission, delegates made it clear that we need to proceed with greater urgency and purpose to address the challenges that confront our people.

“We need to regain the confidence and trust of the people.”