Long delays mar ANC conference, but arg, life goes on
By Lucas Ledwaba on 18 December 2022
Hawkers camped outside the venue hoping to cash in selling ANC paraphernalia and regalia to thousands of delegates who attended the party's 55th national conference. Photo: Lucas Ledwaba
THE ANC’s 55th National Conference got off to a slow start with delays caused by registration glitches and issues around credential verification.
Voting for the party’s top seven positions eventually got underway late on Sunday after yet another long day of delays.
Outside the Nasrec Expo Centre where the conference is taking place, hawkers, delegates, police, security guards and ordinary folk continued the waiting game as proceedings slowly got underway inside.
Some interest groups took advantage of the gathering to stage pickets on routes leading to the venue. Delegates probably exhausted from the previous two day’s singing and chanting and waiting, set up camp chairs along Nasrec road for impromptu picnics.
Journalists also found time to unwind and watch the FIFA World Cup Final between Argentina and France in the media centre.
This is the day’s story of events outside the venue in pictures:
Delegates take time out for a walk along Nasrec road following long delays at the ANC’s 55th National Conference. Photo: Lucas LedwabaMembers of the Friends of Israel South Africa picketed along Nasrec Road to voice their displeasure against the ANC government’s position in the long ranging stand off between Israel and Palestine. Among their demands is that ANC advocate for the reinstatement of the Israeli ambassador in SA. Photo: Lucas LedwabaPolice officers keeping an easy eye on proceedings outside the Nasrec Centre where the ANC is holding its 55th National Conference. Photo: Lucas LedwabaThree protesters picketed near the Nasrec Centre to demand that the KhoiSan be recognised as the first indigenous people in the land which now makes up the Republic of South Africa. Photo: Lucas LedwabaDelegates dressed in the military uniform of the disbanded MKMVA purchase meals from a roadside stall outside the conference venue. Photo: Lucas LedwabaHawkers noted slow business on the third day of the ANC’s national conference citing delays to proceedings in the voting and nomination process that was set to get underway a day earlier. Photo: Lucas Ledwaba
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