So much been on the go at this key meeting on the way forward...oh and their massive spending on partying in the city

Party at the party congress

Durban - When delegates at the ANC national general council meeting get tired of endless debates about nationalisation, press freedom and so on, they shoot over to the Hilton Hotel opposite the Durban Convention Centre.

This exclusive hotel's bars and lounges have turned into VIP areas where the big wigs gather to enjoy a Chivas Regal and a chat.

Besides the ANC's operational headquarters on the second floor, many senior civil servants (such as the department of justice's Tlali Tlali and a few deputy ministers) have made the hotel their temporary office for the week.

Blade Nzimande was also spotted enjoying some refreshment on more than one occasion. On Monday afternoon he was in a conversation of a feisty young lady.

His alliance counterpart, Zwelenzima Vavi, showed less interest in socialising. One of the luxury clothing boutiques in the hotel's foyer stayed open after closing time especially for the union man, so he could buy a few new shirts.

It is not clear whether these shirts were made locally...

Chancellor House, the ANC's controversial investment vehicle which, according to Gwede Mantashe, is "not equal to the ANC", is no longer simply a funds generator.

Thirsty?

This company, which does raise funds for the ruling party in "innovative ways" - according to Mantashe - is now expanding to other sectors.

Energy, property, mining and engineering are just some of the exciting new horizons being explored.

And how does Beeld know this?

Chancellor House Pty (Ltd) is sponsoring the bottles of mineral water for thirsty delegates.

During an information session at the closed session at Fort ANC, which is known as the Durban Convention Centre out of season, Mantashe was his witty self.

To the question as to why more whites voted for the ANC last year compared to the past, the former rugby flank explained it is because the party adjusts its approach for various communities.

Mumble

"For instance, during an interim election in L'Agulhas in the Southern Cape we had a fisherman running. I accompanied him to a meeting but couldn't understand much of what he was saying... he kept mumbling. Luckily his people understood him."

Cyril Ramaphosa, once former president Nelson Mandela's choice to succeed him as president, is one of the favourites here.

Before the rest of South Africa was banned from the grounds of the convention centre, it was quite insightful to see who was hanging around Ramaphosa and who tried to speak to him.

However, he wasn't exactly shaking hands left and right - his right hand is heavily bandaged.

"I cut myself badly while I was washing wine glasses the other night. I needed internal stitches; there was a lot of blood!"

The ANC's political school will "soon" open its doors on the banks of the Vaal River, "closer to Potch than Parys," according to Mantashe.

The farm has already been bought and all that's missing is buildings. Any member of the ANC will be able to attend the school to learn about the inner workings of the "national democratic revolutionary party".

Zuma on walkabout with business community
Sep 22, 2010 11:23 AM | By Sapa

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President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday arrived for a walkabout with the business community under tight security at the Durban International Exhibition Centre.

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A large contingent of media awaited his arrival, with scores of ANC marshals escorting them.

Police at first refused to allow journalists into the venue. A contingent of security then surrounded them as Zuma made his way to the exhibition centre.

Amidst much pushing and shoving, journalists were given strict instructions to "stay inside the police", a reference to the ANC muscle and police surrounding them.

Zuma entered the exhibition centre. He wore a yellow ANC t-shirt and looked relaxed as he chatted cordially with business exhibitors.

The ANC is currently holding its national general council at the venue.

Agreed, some big spending going on in Durbs at the moment, but anyone know why the jets are doing fly abouts?

Final day of ANC NGC
Sep 24, 2010 9:19 AM | By Brendan Boyle, PoliticsLIVE

The ANC's national general council ends in Durban today with a final speech by President Jacob Zuma before he heads off to address a Heritage Day rally in the city's World Cup stadium.

Officials were expected to brief reporters on the final outcome of the economic policy showdown between Julius Malema's Youth League and supporters of the more conservative group opposed to his call for sweeping nationalisation of the country's mines.

Reporters were told to go home at 1am because the plenary session discussing the report of the economic transformation commission was still going, with no immediate resolution in sight.

The youth league lobby had managed to get a strong recommendation for nationalisation into the report after packing the commission with its supporters.

But advocates of a more orthodox approach were expected to fight back at the plenary, where the youth league's numbers were diluted, to slow the rush towards nationalisation.

The issue is important to Malema because he has lost on several other fronts at the NGC and nationalisation is his flagship policy initiative.

The conference is expected, however, to endorse a resolution proposing nationalisation as a general policy.