Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe on Sunday appealed to a group of graduates from the ANC's political school to protect the party's image.

''A cadre is a frame that is used to keep old photos and posters in shape and it prevents them from bending and breaking... You should be the same for the ANC,'' he told about 600 political education students from the Walter Sisulu Leadership Academy, who graduated at the University of Johannesburg in Soweto on Sunday.

He described it as a programme of political education for ANC members in Gauteng, and told the graduates to live up to former ANC deputy president Walter Sisulu's legacy.

''We are re-igniting his legacy. Sisulu showed dignity, respect, was humble and sacrificed for the people.''

Motlanthe advised the students to apply the theory they had acquired.

''Practice without theory is blind. Theory without practice is sterile.''

African National Congress Gauteng chairman, Paul Mashatile, who opened the ceremony, said the programme would help graduates address problems people faced.

Course modules included organising skills, the history of South Africa and of the ANC, ANC strategy and structures, and tools of analysis.

Mashatile said the ANC had in the past had people who did not have theoretical training, which posed a danger.

He also highlighted the importance of rejuvenation.

''A renewed ANC must come out of Mangaung. Renewal includes the renewal of leadership. We must come back from Mangaung with new leadership,'' Mashatile said, referring to the ANC's elective conference, to be held in Mangaung in December.

One graduate, Bukelwa Dumse, said she was overjoyed by her achievement.

''I never thought this would happen to me. I'm grateful for this opportunity and I'm going to continue with politics. I just have a new interest with politics in general.''

Another student, Vusumuzi Shabangu, said he would now give back to his community.

''I will go back to my people and share with them what I've learned. This programme was great because it just broke all the misconceptions that I had of the ANC."