ANC CONFERENCE DAY 1 WRAP | Will delegates buy Ramaphosa's story?

16 December 2022 - 06:54 By TimesLIVE
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Members of the ANC sing struggle songs and gesture two fingers to signify a second term for Cyril Ramaphosa as they gather in the plenary waiting for the opening ceremony of the 55th ANC national conference at Nasrec in Johannesburg on December 16 2022.
Members of the ANC sing struggle songs and gesture two fingers to signify a second term for Cyril Ramaphosa as they gather in the plenary waiting for the opening ceremony of the 55th ANC national conference at Nasrec in Johannesburg on December 16 2022.
Image: Alaister Russell/The Sunday Times

December 16 2022 — 20:45

Will ANC delegates buy Cyril Ramaphosa's story or reject him?

President Cyril Ramaphosa had the last laugh, stamping his authority after a group of KwaZulu-Natal delegates attempted to disrupt his speech on the first day of the ANC national conference where he is seeking a second term.

A calm Ramaphosa had to briefly pause early into his speech as a handful of former president Jacob Zuma's supporters heckled and sang in an attempt to drown out the president on Friday afternoon.

December 16 2022 — 20:43

ANC KZN chair reads the riot act to disruptive delegates from his province

ANC KwaZulu-Natal provincial chairperson Sboniso Duma laid down the law to delegates from the province attending the party's national conference in Johannesburg, telling them to cease disrupting the conference if they do not want to miss out on an opportunity to deal with what he termed the weakest NEC ever.

Duma was addressing KwaZulu-Natal delegates after party president Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his political report on Friday evening.

December 16 2022 — 20:41

Cyril Ramaphosa blames senior ANC leaders for continued divisions

ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa has accused the party’s national leaders of being behind deep divisions plaguing the governing party. 

Ramaphosa made the claim during his political report at the opening of the ANC national conference in Nasrec, south of Johannesburg on Friday.

December 16 2022 — 20:23

State capture, mismanagement responsible for Eskom crisis: Ramaphosa

State capture and mismanagement have destroyed Eskom, ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday night.

“The insecurity of the electricity supply continues to be one of the greatest impediments and risks to economic recovery in our country,” he said.

December 16 2022 — 17:59

LISTEN | Ramaphosa heckled as ANC conference gets under way

President Cyril Ramaphosa struggled to make himself heard above former president Jacob Zuma’s supporters on Friday as the party’s 55th national conference finally got under way. 

Its start was delayed by several hours as delegates tried to register. Many groups from out of town only arrived in Johannesburg in the morning.

As proceedings began at about 4.30pm, Zuma walked into the hall with a large contingent from KwaZulu-Natal as Ramaphosa took to the stage to deliver the party’s political report. 

December 16 2022 — 17:57

Rocky start for ANC conference as group tries to disrupt Ramaphosa's speech

A handful of ANC delegates, mostly from KwaZulu-Natal, disrupted President Cyril Ramaphosa's political report at the opening of the party's national conference at Nasrec in Johannesburg on Friday.

The group chanted “change” and “Phala Phala”, and sang pro-Jacob Zuma songs when Ramaphosa started delivering his speech.

n attempt by Gauteng delegates to drown out KZN in support of the president was futile and interventions by outgoing national chairperson Gwede Mantashe did not help.

December 16 2022 — 17:18

IN PICS | KZN members, Zuma supporters heckle Ramaphosa

December 16 2022 — 17:07

Watch scenes from the 55th ANC elective conference and join the conversation on the TimesLIVE TikTok page: www.tiktok.com/@timeslive_video

December 16 2022 — 16:55

WATCH | Security called, Duma steps in as Ramaphosa keeps calm

December 16 2022 — 16:31

WATCH | Prayers, heckling and pro-Zuma songs as conference begins

December 16 2022 — 16:16

WATCH LIVE | Opening address at ANC's 55th national conference

ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to table the party's political report as its 55th national elective conference finally gets under way at Nasrec, in the south of Johannesburg, after hours of delays.

December 16 2022 — 15:59

WATCH | Thabo Mbeki arrives at conference

December 16 2022 — 15:55

LISTEN | I wouldn't say its chaotic: Mabe on delayed ANC conference

Despite the ANC's 55th elective conference running seven hours behind schedule, party spokesperson Pule Mabe says the delay is due only to administrative issues in registering delegates. 

December 16 2022 — 14:12

LISTEN | Ace Magashule puts his disqualification in delegates' hands

Suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule has put his hopes in delegates at the party's national conference to reverse a decision that bars him from standing for any position this weekend.

According to the ANC election committee rules, Magashule is disqualified from standing because he is suspended and has been charged for corruption. But on Friday Magashule said delegates attending the conference will decide his fate.

December 16 2022 — 13:48

WATCH | ANC conference delayed by late arrivals, registration process

The ANC's 55th elective conference was off to a slow start as delegates took longer than expected to arrive.

A further source of delay appeared to be the registration of delegates whose details need to be captured before they vote. More than 400 are expected to vote for the party's new leadership.

"If there are no delegates, there will be no conference," ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe told those in the hall. 

December 16 2022 — 12:46

WATCH | Vote for leaders with credentials, says suspended SG Magashule 

December 16 2022 — 12:17

WATCH | Lindiwe Sisulu receives petition from MKMVA

ANC NEC member and tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu observed a moment of silence for slain SACP leader Chris Hani before receiving a petition from members of MKMVA outside the ANC conference at Nasrec in Johannesburg.

December 16 2022 — 12:11

IN PICS | 'Two fingers' for Ramaphosa to show support for second term

December 16 2022 — 12:02

LISTEN | Defiant ANC MPs to be resolved by incoming NEC: Mabe

One of the first tasks that the incoming leadership that will be elected at the 55th ANC national conference at the weekend will be to decide whether to discipline the defiant MP’s who voted in favour of the section 89 panel report on Tuesday.

“Our cadres who did not follow the party line the NEC concluded that we should not use discipline again to stifle debates in the ANC,” said outgoing ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe.

Mabe was on Friday addressing the media on the outcomes of a special national executive committee meeting that took place on Thursday ahead of the start of the highly anticipated national conference.

December 16 2022 — 11:46

WATCH | Niehaus leads MKMVA protest outside Nasrec

December 16 2022 — 11:42

ANC conference hit by three-hour delay

The start of the ANC’s national elective conference has been delayed due to technical glitches in registering delegates.

The gathering is running more than three hours late, but on Friday party spokesperson Pule Mabe said there was no crisis. 

The start of the 55th ANC national conference has been delayed following issues with the accreditation process.
The start of the 55th ANC national conference has been delayed following issues with the accreditation process.
Image: Alaister Russell/The Sunday Times

December 16 2022 — 11:40

IN PICS | Delegates arrive at Nasrec

December 16 2022 — 11:10

Andile Lungisa appeals to ANC conference to review suspension

The ANC's Andile Lungisa has lodged an appeal with the party’s national conference regarding his September 7 suspension by its national disciplinary committee (NDC).

After the release of the NDC appeal outcome report, the treasurer-general hopeful applied for it to be reviewed by the national executive committee (NEC).

Lungisa, in the notice of appeal, said a review of the national disciplinary committee of appeal decision is allowed in terms of the party's constitution.

December 16 2022 — 10:34

WATCH | ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe briefs media at Nasrec

ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe briefs the media at the party's national elective conference at Nasrec Expo Centre, Johannesburg.
ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe briefs the media at the party's national elective conference at Nasrec Expo Centre, Johannesburg.
Image: Sandile Ndlovu

December 16 2022 — 08:05

Keeping the ANC and SA on the correct path is my goal: Cyril Ramaphosa

“This year’s conference is a watershed in many respects. It is a test of whether we will continue to remain faithful to the renewal of the ANC and to the transformation of our economy and society.”

This is according to ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa, who has for the first time suggested that under his leadership the party has turned a new leaf to ethical leadership which makes him eligible for a second term.

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed business people and delegates on Thursday at a gala dinner in Nasrec, Johannesburg on the eve of the ANC's 55th ANC National Conference.
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed business people and delegates on Thursday at a gala dinner in Nasrec, Johannesburg on the eve of the ANC's 55th ANC National Conference.
Image: Theo Jeptha

December 16 2022 — 07:45

Ramaphosa rejects Zuma's 'abuse of private prosecution process'

On the eve of the ANC’s elective conference, former president Jacob Zuma initiated a private prosecution of President Cyril Ramaphosa. He has been summoned to appear in court on January 19 to face a charge of being an “accessory after the fact” in the same private prosecution Zuma is pursuing against prosecutor Billy Downer and journalist Karyn Maughan for disclosing a document concerning Zuma’s medical state.

In a statement issued in the early hours on Friday, the presidency said Ramaphosa rejected the prosecution “with the utmost contempt”. The presidency said a nolle prosequi certificate, or a certificate of non-prosecution by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), was a prerequisite for a valid private prosecution.

“Mr Zuma has not provided such a certificate with charges in the name of President Ramaphosa,” said the presidency.

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