S.Africa's ruling ANC starts conference to elect new leader

Johannesburg, Dec 17 South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) party had started its 55th national conference in Johannesburg to elect a new leader.

More than 4,000 delegates from across the country are attending the conference, which is scheduled to end on December 20 and expected to elect the party's top leadership for the next five years, reports Xinhua news agency.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, also the ANC chief and running for re-election to the party's top post, said that in the past five years the country had low economic growth, blaming it on corruption, state capture, Covid-19 and the effects of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

"State capture" is a term referring to high-level graft involving plunder of state resources and attempts to influence policy.

"Insecurity of electricity supply continues to be one of the greatest impediments to economic recovery," he said.

"Poor policy, mismanagement, state capture and corruption have left the electricity system in a state of real disrepair."

State-owned enterprises functioning and performance also remains a significant challenge, with several struggling with significant debt, under-investment in infrastructure, the effects of state capture and a shortage of skills, Ramaphosa said.

However, some green shoots have started to sprout as the economy is showing signs of recovery, he said, adding that the conference should come up with measures to grow the economy fast, create jobs and improve the lives of the people.

The conference comes at a time when Ramaphosa is facing a possible legal case from his predecessor Jacob Zuma.

Also this week, the President survived an impeachment attempt.