The African National Congress stalwarts say they will now hold further discussions with the party’s top six to press for an early consultative conference.

They say it’s important to have it as early as April as this will impact the outcome of the party’s policy conference which will be held in July and when the party elects a new leader in December.

ANC Stalwart Reverend Frank Chikane says: “The reason we would want to have it earlier is because we believe that the intervention on processes leading up to the policy conference and the elective conference are critical because whatever happens at that conference will determine the direction the ANC will be taking beyond that and  that is critical so there will be a parallel process of leading to the national consultative conference.”

Last year, it was resolved that it would take place two days before the party holds its policy conference in June but the veterans say this will be too late.

The stalwarts also spoke at length of the interventions that still need to be made within the party, also focusing on the policy surrounding the election of a president of the party and the country.

Chikane says some of the current policies may need to be changed.

The stalwarts say their current interventions are not actions of factionalism but they are seeking solutions to continue to drive the party forward.

Stalwart Sydney Mufamadi says they are simply trying to bring about change.

The party will elect a new President as it prepares for its elective conference in December.

The ANC Women’s League has already endorsed outgoing AU chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to lead the party, while

Cosatu is backing Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa for the top job.