WATCH |Live updates: Cyril Ramaphosa's closing address

Ramaphosa delivers concluding remarks at ANC's 55th national conference

By SOWETANLIVE - 20 December 2022 - 15:27

17:05

Erick Mphephu, Limpopo delegate said: "I support the call made by President Cyril Ramaphosa that only qualified ANC members should be deployed into government positions and not the ones who are politically connected. Such a move will help the movement to deal with corruption."

17:10

Maite Kwinda, delegate from Limpopo, said: "The conference went well for five days. The disruptions that happened on the first day with some of the delegates singing anti Ramaphosa songs was not nice. But everything went smooth afterwards. I am happy that the president talked about speeding land reform in his closing speech. This process will assist people who are living in informal settlements."

16:18

Ramaphosa says the party emerges stronger from the conference but they know that their job is far from done.

16:17

He says delegates firmly placed ANC on a path for renewal.

16:16

Ramaphosa thanks delegates for representing mandate of their branches

16:14

Ramaphosa now thanks all who are present at the conference from civil society to the media

16:13

Ramaphosa - we must show no mercy to those who steal money from the poor wherever they are. Ramaphosa - we return to our branches filled with the commitment that ANC exists to serve our people

16:11

Ramaphosa says if the ANC is divided it will never be able to unite the people of SA. He says the party needs to remove economic obstacles to foster growth and development. Ramaphosa- we need to employ people because they are competent not because they are committed to other people.

16:10

President Cyril Ramaphosa announces that his government intends to create more TVET colleges.

16:07

Ramaphosa- We either deal with this problem [corruption] or we perish as an organization

16:05

Ramaphosa - we have also acknowledged that we have not done enough to end corruption and reverse state capture.

16:04

He says the 55th conference has taken a firm stance against corruption

16:02

He says crime is a problem of society and requires all to be involved in an effort to fight crime. He says conference has provided clear direction on further steps to be taken to end gender based violence. He says conference has restated the party’s commitment to a better Africa and better world

15:57

Ramaphosa says the failure of basic services has increased the lack of confidence to the government and party

15:56

Ramaphosa - we have outlined the steps to rebuild our economy. Ramaphosa - we also decided we embark on other interventions to ensure that our rural areas and townships become economic opportunities. Ramaphosa - this conference has expressed impatience and has given our employees in government to act with speed to implement the proposals that will emerge from commissions.

15:51

He says once the branches have made their choice, “all of us are expected to fall in line”.

15:50

Ramaphosa says the branches have spoken and chosen the leadership they want.

15:47

Ramaphosa says “through our deliberations we have chosen a path for renewal”.

15:46

He reiterates the adjournment of the conference to January 5th and also says January 8 statement will be in Mangaung in the Free State.

15:45

Ramaphosa says the party has come to the end of the first part of the 55th national conference.

15:44

Ramaphosa says former President Jacob Zuma is not here but he sends his greeting to him as well as he acknowledge former leaders of the party, veterans and alliance partners.

15:41

Re-elected ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa takes to the podium amid singing of “Ramaphosa re morata kaofela”.