JOHANNESBURG – The African National Congress (ANC) will elect new leaders during its elective conference in Johannesburg starting Saturday.

Here’s how the first few days of the conference is expected to unfold:

Friday, 15 December 2017:

• Delegates, guests and observers register for the conference

Saturday, 16 December 2017:

• An interfaith prayer service and the singing of the national anthem will kick off proceedings
• The ANC’s national chairperson and National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete will begin directing the programme
• ANC President Jacob Zuma publically delivers his political report
• A closed session takes place after Zuma address
• Deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte likely to deliver contentious ‘credentials report’
• Conference to reach agreement on credentials of delegates before conference programme is adopted
• Lunch break
• Session on constitutional amendments
• Nominations publically open for the election of ANC president with voting continuing throughout the conference
• ANC secretary general, Gwede Mantashe to deliver ‘organisation report’
• Treasurer-general, Zweli Mkhize to read financial report to delegates

Sunday, 17 December 2017:

• Session starts with a closed session with messages of support
• ‘Strategy and tactics’ document to be discussed
• Minister Fikile Mbalula to present organisational renewal document
• Lunch break
• 13 breakaway commissions kick off to tackle both themes mentioned above, namely strategy and organisational renewal
• Announcement of new ANC president, deputy president, national chairperson, secretary-general, deputy secretary-general and treasurer general by around 9pm

eNCA