ANC conference critical: Cosatu president

The ANC's national conference is critical because it has the potential to fix "serious" socio-economic problems in the country, Cosatu president Sidumo Dlamini said on Sunday.

"The whole world is looking up to this conference," he said while queuing to enter the African National Congress's plenary tent at the University of the Free State.

"It [the conference] is critical for the ANC because this is the time for serious economic changes."

The Congress of SA Trade Unions leader said policy debates were the most important aspect of the conference.

"Socio-economic conditions in this country are terrible, and that needs to change. We [as Cosatu] are very upbeat about the conference. We are looking forward to very robust debates."

Dlamini said Cosatu would make an input into the policy discussions.

"We will work with the ANC, and we will try to influence policy debate. But, we will respect the final decisions of the conference."

Dlamini said delegates should also try to influence policy debates.

"There are delegates from all provinces with their own mandates. They should be allowed to exercise those views. The views should be respected."

The conference was scheduled to begin at 8.30am on Sunday morning, but by 10am, delegates were still queuing outside.