Out of Polokwane

It seems the conference is shutting down already - before ANC president Jacob Zuma delivers his speech and also before the NEC is finalised.
A sure sign of things slowing down: the network lounge is no longer. And they’ve shut the toilets closest to the Independent offices in Polokwane.
My flight to Cape Town is later today [...]

What will Zuma speak about?

Today is the day Jacob Zuma, newly elected leader of the ANC, speaks - to the ruling party delegates and answers the media’s questions. Not that anyone is sure what time the long-awaited moment will happen - so far I’ve heard this morning (no time), 3pm and 7pm.

Photo: AP
What is Zuma expected to say? I [...]

Cosatu not expecting a ‘free lunch’

Cosatu secretary-general Zwelinzima Vavi has congratulated ANC president Jacob Zuma and the leadership of the ruling party, saying this is a “historic moment in our movement and in our country”.
Vavi pledged to mobilise the union’s 1,9 members to support their allies “to the hilt” but will remain as an independent voice of the working class [...]

Mbalula compares conference strategy to war

ANCYL President Fikile Mbalula finally answered Wendy’s question via two other reporters who followed up on it.
“You should acknowledge that when the conference began, we defined the conference in our own terms,” he said. He compared the strategy of the ANCYL to Georgi Zukov’s breakthrough attack on Leningrad - “street by street”.
“Every battle was [...]

ANCYL: How will they benefit from Zuma’s win?

The ANC Youth League is answering questions from the media.
My favourite so far? One of Independent’s (no bias promise!) journalists, Wendy Jasson da Costa, who asked how they intend implementing disciplinary actions for members who ANC Youth League president Fikile Mbalula described as “mutineers” if they were unable to control rowdy delegates during the conference [...]

Zuma cancels on the media

Judging from the relaxed atmosphere and the late start (including myself) at the ANC conference, many of those attending - delegates and journalists - are nursing hangovers, more specifically Jacob Zuma hangovers.
A press conference was scheduled for this morning - the first time Zuma was to speak to the press as ANC president - but [...]

‘We have the power’

It’s only been an hour and I’m already looking back. I was in the general area of the networking lounge before Jacob Zuma’s victory was announced. (Conservations) Conversations were interesting - and mostly shouted across the square.
First delegate: “Hayi, I don’t want to led by Umshini Wam.”
Second delegate: “You have no choice - we are [...]

Zuma is new leader of ANC

The sound of fireworks have greeted the news that Jacob Zuma is the new president of the ANC.
The delegates cheered wildly when Zuma was called on to the stage, followed by outgoing president Thabo Mbeki who hugged Zuma.

Moments away

ANC delegates are now gathering to hear the results of the election of the party’s top six. Chairperson Mosiuoa Lekota is trying to clear the room of all the non-voting ANC delegates - instructing them to follow the proceedings from another area where they will have access to the “overflow room”.
Repeated cries of “order!” seem [...]

Results not coming at 6pm

I’ve just heard that the results will probably be announced at 8pm. More likely at 10pm, some people at the Independent office have joked.
Playing the waiting game.
UPDATE: Everyone’s getting ready for a late night - results are now expected at 10pm. Seems we shouldn’t have joked!