It held a planning meeting from 20 to 23 January to deliberate the party's plans for the year ahead.

There, it called for the renewal of the party and admitted that the relationship between the party and the people should be restored as well as its integrity and role as an agent for change and a leader in society.

"The NEC accepted that we are on a downward spiral, and unless we renew and rebuild the organisation, we will fail in our mission to fundamentally and radically transform society and build a better life for all," party spokesperson Pule Mabe added in a statement.

Mabe said the NEC recognised that decisive and different actions were needed - not just lofty pronouncements - in every pillar of the party's programme, by all leaders, members, public representatives, deployees and structures.

News24