NATIONAL NEWS - The African National Congress’ (ANC) 54th national conference has ended with a midnight appeal for unity from its new leader Cyril Ramaphosa and the release at 3am of an NEC list topped by Zweli Mkhize and Lindiwe Zulu.
After some heated debate and tense moments, the party has also resolved to speed up radical economic transformation and change the Constitution to allow for land expropriation without compensation.
The conference brought to the fore some stark divides in the governing party after a fractious campaign for its top job.
The top six is split right down the middle and the NEC harbours both friends and foes of new ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa.
But Ramaphosa himself says the ANC is determined to deliver for the people of South Africa.
“The African National Congress wishes to send a clear message to all South Africans that we are resolved to be more responsive and more accountable leadership, and a more accountable movement to the people of our country.”
During his maiden address Ramaphosa told delegates: “A united leadership is what we will give you as officials and later when the NEC is announced. That we want to promise. Nasrec has not only united us, it has also strengthened us.”
