Conference fever has gripped the first few delegates, with some already camped in Johannesburg ahead of the 55th ANC conference.

Though some appear immersed in the "mood of conference" and are lobbying for their preferred candidates, others have disclosed the Phala Phala scandal may have dampened their spirits.

Just days before the ANC conference at Nasrec next week, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Farmgate has necessitated the need for numerous lengthy National Executive Committee meetings as the party tries to grapple with the scandal.

A Section 89 Independent Panel found that Ramaphosa may have a case to answer for in the matter. Ramaphosa has since moved to have the report taken on review – developments that have garnered mixed reactions from delegates preparing for the conference.

Next weekend, the ANC is expected to elect is new leadership with Ramaphosa expected to go toe to toe with former health minister Zweli Mkhize for the ANC’s top position.

Suspended secretary-general Ace Magashule, who is expected to be a delegate at the conference, said he hoped delegates would "follow their conscience" when electing new leadership.

"People can see what is happening in the country; they can see that there is no equality. South Africans are also opening their eyes and ordinary ANC members are opening their eyes," Magashule said.

"There is no toeing the party line here; all these things, including the step-aside rule, must be discussed by the NEC, which is the highest decision-making body of the ANC. No sub-committee can decide on this," Magashule said.

Meanwhile, some candidates told Weekend Argus that the release of the Section 89 report has rekindled their excitement for the conference.

The developments in the Phala Phala scandal, according to a delegate from Ward 99 in Khayelitsha, Lonwabo Mqina, has revived the excitement among the branch's delegates.

"This has revitalised the mood towards the conference. We are looking forward to going to the conference and fixing our organisation. In fact, this has boosted us, because we are more eager to go and fix our organisation,“ he said.

Mqina said the aim was to "fix all the wrong things within the ANC".

He said this included the party’s step-aside resolution, which he said was riddled with loopholes.

"There are people who have dark clouds hanging over their heads. We strongly believe that those people, even if they are not charged, must be willing to (step aside) willingly," Mqina said.

Mqina added that if Ramaphosa didn’t resign as ANC president, he must at least consider stepping down as head of state.

"This is to avoid a person using state machinery to fight his battles," he said.

"We have a number of things we want to discuss.

“In 2017, we were too excited about trying to deal with corruption and corrupt comrades and wanting to portray ourselves as an organisation that wants to deal with corruption to such an extent that we approved the step-aside resolution with loopholes. We believe the resolution needs to be revisited,” Mnqina said.

ANC Western Cape Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) convenor, Lerumo Kalako, said the province had not been discouraged by the developments in the Phala Phala saga.

"The position of this province is the position that has been taken by the NEC, we abide by that. Our position is that our Members in Parliament will not support it. Let’s allow all other processes to take place. The report has also been taken for review, and we can’t discuss it," Lekako said.

"The mood of the conference throughout the country is still very high; it hasn’t changed, and people are still looking forward to the conference.“

ANC MPL Andile Lili said a few members were concerned by the Phala Phala farm saga and the Independent Panel’s report even though the province itself was divided on the matter.

"Of course there is a concern around Phala Phala, but the majority of delegates are still in support of Ramaphosa," he said.

Lili said a picket staged by a group outside the Parliament earlier this week, calling for Ramaphosa to resign, was proof that the Western Cape was divided on the matter.

"The leadership has given us the directive in terms of what is going to happen. As lower structures and disciplined members of the ANC, we have to respect the leadership, because the NEC is the highest decision-making body in between the conferences. Whatever they say, we hold it.

"Surely this will be discussed at the conference, and it won’t be taken lightly. Of course, delegates will discuss this there, but it is up to us as delegates how we deal with this matter," Lili said.

Weekend Argus