video still
The ANC sent its delegates home early on the first day of its national conference on Friday. ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe had a difficult time controlling delegates ahead of Ramaphosa’s speech.
Former president Jacob Zuma then added to the drama by making his entrance just as Ramaphosa began his address. This is a report that was meant to be presented eight hours earlier.
"We have released delegates early today, to give them the time they need to attend to the issues of the glitches that they had, especially the administrative glitches that could’ve prolonged the accreditation process," said spokesperson Pule Mabe.
"We are hopeful that when we come here tomorrow (SAT) at nine o’clock, we could’ve attended all of those and we could be able to start on time."
"We are calling on our delegates to arrive on time and do everything else possible to make sure that this conference becomes a success. The success of this national conference is not a duty of only the national executive committee, it is the duty of all of us who are here. Judging what we saw this will be a successful piece of the ANC."
The conference will see Ramaphosa go head-to-head with former health minister Zweli Mkhize for the position of ANC president.
