Ramaphosa said the party must remember its central purpose of serving the people and root out corruption within its ranks. The conference has adjourned until 5 January 2023 to complete outstanding work, including adopting resolutions stemming from policy discussions.

He told delegates that now that the new leadership has been elected, all party members must fall in line and embrace the decisions made. He says he is happy that despite attempts to distract delegates from the work of the conference, they showed maturity.

"There have, yes, been attempts to divide us, to provoke us, and to divert us from the tasks that we must undertake in advancing our national democratic revolution. There have been moments at this conference that have tested our unity and cohesion. But I can testify that this conference will continue to solidify our unity and cohesion as the ANC."

'No greater task for ANC than to build a better Sout Africa'

He reminded the nearly 4 500 delegates that there is no greater task for the ANC than to build a better South Africa that leaves no one behind. Ramaphosa says that while the party has made mistakes, it has been able to pull itself back from the brink because of this central purpose.

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"There is no other reason for the ANC's existence than to unite, mobilise, and, most importantly, serve the people of South Africa. And let’s be clear that there is no reason to seek and accept elections to positions of leadership other than to serve the people of South Africa."

Ramaphosa again reiterated that corruption is a dire threat to South Africa’s future and there is no choice but to crush it. He said while there has been progress in the last five years to deal with the issue, not enough has been done to reverse its corrosive effects.

'Anti-corruption agency to be introduced'

He said the government should introduce an anti-corruption agency.

"We have stated our determination at this conference to take all necessary steps to address this problem. From our recent experience, we know that such actions can be difficult and they can also be painful. We know that these actions may be met with opposition and they may cause discord within our own structures, but as this conference and the deliberations that we have had recognise, we either deal with this problem or we perish."

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The National Conference is scheduled to reopen on 5 January, ahead of the party’s statement in Mangaung on 8 January.

This time the conference will be a hybrid one, with different centres linked virtually to each other. It is here that the final conference report, along with the resolutions taken, will be adopted.

SABC News