The ANC's military veterans association says it has full confidence in President Jacob Zuma and his top five leaders after calls to remove ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe.

Kebby Maphatsoe, the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association national chairman, made this announcement as the association was preparing to hold its national general council meeting this morning in Johannesburg.

"We are confident with the present ANC leadership led by Zuma," Maphatsoe said.

"We do not see a need for any changes at this point. The time is not right for any changes."

He said the 300 MKMVA delegates expected to attend the three-day meeting would not discuss the ANC leadership structure as it was "not a burning issue for us".

"When the time is right on who must serve in the ANC top leadership we will make our call, but for now it's too early to say who must go and who must stay."

The ANC's leadership structure has come under discussion following a call by ANC Youth League members for Mantashe to be replaced by Deputy Police Minister Fikile Mbalula.

Maphatsoe said the veterans agreed with the youth league in calling for younger party members to be considered for top positions. He said the 1976 generation has yet to make any impact in the ANC's top structures, and this was a constant concern for some of the members of his association.

He said more efforts had to be made to promote post-1976 members into the ANC national executive council and leadership positions in the organisation.

The council meeting is expected to be attended by representatives of the youth league, SACP, Cosatu and student organisations.

Zuma will deliver the closing address on Sunday.