ANC conference 'vibrant'
2007-12-17 14:18
Polokwane - As senior African National Congress spokesperson, Smuts Ngonyama has been delivering spin for years.
But he excelled himself on Monday with his description of the fractuous ANC conference under way in Polokwane.
"We have a very vibrant conference and this morning as you have seen, a very strong and cohesive conference taking place, unlike yesterday (Sunday) where we had some challenges, as you perhaps noticed," he told journalists at a media briefing, the first at the five-day meeting.
His words drew snorts of amusement from some in his audience.
The opening session of the conference on Sunday verged on chaos, as supporters of presidential challenger Jacob Zuma booed party chair Mosiuoa Lekota, brandished photographs of their champion despite a ban on "divisive" materials, and belted out Zuma's theme song Umshini wam.
One newspaper on Monday described it as "open rebellion" against the Mbeki regime.
National executive committee member Jeff Radebe, speaking at the same briefing, had his own euphemism for the proceedings.
"The mood is very robust out there, but not as emotional as yesterday (Sunday)," he said with a laugh.
- SAPA