“As is the tradition within the ANC, we have also invited fraternal organisations, notably the former liberation movements – MPLA of Angola, ZANU-PF of Zimbabwe, CCM of Tanzania, FRELIMO of Mozambique, and SWAPO of Namibia, who have confirmed their attendance,” Mantashe told reporters in Midrand.

“We also expect in attendance, representatives of the BRICS embassies – Brazil, Russia, India and China.”

Asked why some other trading blocs, vital to South Africa’s economy, particularly the European Union, had not been invited, Mantashe responded: “BRICS is a member-based club of developing economies. We are not members of the EU.”

“There is only one African country I know that is applying for EU membership, and that is Morocco. We are not members of the EU. We invite close associates because the NGC is not like the (ANC national) conference. The conference is open and we invite everybody.”

Mantashe said delegates were being transported in 67 buses which had already left the various provinces across the country.

“The first delegates arrived at 09h00 this morning. We are currently busy with the registration of delegations, following the pre-registration that has been done in provinces,” he said.

The conference will end on Sunday.

Later on Thursday, the Progressive Business Forum will host a gala dinner to be attended by businesses, members of the diplomatic corps, international guests and leadership of the ANC.

“The NGC will officially open tomorrow, 9 October 2015, when the President of the ANC, Comrade Jacob Zuma, will deliver the political report. NGC will also receive the Organisational Report which will assess the state of the organisation, the functioning of our structures and progress made in the implementation of resolutions of the 53rd National Conference,” added Mantashe.

ANA