Diplomacy, domestic strains and a test of political authority underlined this year’s presidency
The party is set to address factionalism, corruption and alliance fallout ahead of next year’s local government elections
Party spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri raised eyebrows when she suggested that the ANC would not have its financial woes if it was corrupt
On the first day of the party’s national general council, chairperson Gwede Mantashe slammed Ramaphosa’s detractors and urged them to ‘say whatever you want to say here and not outside these walls’
The president also told a meeting of his ANC that criminals, corrupt careerists, extortionists and factionalists should find themselves outside of the party
The ANC secretary-general said the organisation might need to reconsider the policy of allowing dual membership of both parties
The regional conference was initially scheduled for July but has since been postponed twice
Stocktake at the end of a momentous year shows that the ruling party holds all the cards but has little room for manoeuvre