Behind-closed-door discussions at the ANC's policy conference are steering clear of the leadership succession debate, Cosatu president Sidumo Dlamini said on Wednesday.

"One thing that has been cleared is what [the Congress of SA Trade Unions] Cosatu has warned against, that this debate is used as a debate [on] the succession on leadership in the ANC," Dlamini said on the sidelines of the conference in Midrand.

"It's not a succession debate," he said.

Delegates have been behind closed doors in commissions debating the discussion document on the second transition.

Also known as the ANC's strategy and tactics, "The Second Transition: Building a National Democratic Society and the Balance of Forces in 2012", suggests the ANC must enter a second era of democracy.

The past 18 years were the first transition, during which the focus was political emancipation. The "second transition" had to focus on social and economic transformation in the next 30 to 50 years.

The "second transition" has become synonymous with President Jacob Zuma's reported re-election campaign.

However, Dlamini said the commissions were able to rather look at the real issues contained in the document.

"It's an important debate. Let's not be bogged down on the title. Let's rather spend time working and looking into the content."

He said the content raised issues about dealing with the triple challenge of unemployment, poverty, and inequality.

"What are we going to do differently this time? That is the thrust of the issues. We are quite [sure] that we shall be able to find each other there."

Dlamini said the discussions had not been disrupted in any way, and there was "robust debate and talking to the real issues".

The ANC's constitution requires that a policy conference be held at least six months before its national conference, to review ANC policies and recommend amendments or new policies.

The policy decisions made at the policy conference will be discussed and finalised at the 53rd ANC national conference in Mangaung, in the Free State, in December.

These policies will form the basis for the ANC government's policies, new laws or amended laws.