Talks on Zuma's future to be finalized soon: ANC president

CAPE TOWN - African National Congress (ANC) President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed on Sunday that the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) will soon finalize talks on President Jacob Zuma's future.

"It will all come to an end. We know you want closure on this matter," Ramaphosa said while launching centenary celebrations in honor of late president Nelson Mandela at the Grand Parade in Cape Town.

Ramaphosa was speaking ahead of Monday's meeting of the NEC, the ANC's highest decision-making body, to continue discussions on Zuma's exit.

Ramaphosa hinted that the ANC was not successful in negotiating a graceful exit deal with Zuma and that the NEC meeting will recall him tomorrow.

He stressed the importance of managing the discussions with purpose.

The interests of people must be put first, not the interests of individuals, said Ramaphosa.

"We must keep our eyes on what is in the interests of all our people," he said, to the applause of thousands of ANC supporters.

Ramaphosa also took the opportunity to stress the ANC's unity.

"The ANC comes from disunity and must now forge for unity," he said.

The Mandela centenary celebrations offer a new beginning for the ANC, said Ramaphosa.

To carry out Mandela's legacy, the ANC must fight corruption, Ramaphosa said.

He said 2018 will be the year of continuing Mandela's legacy of fighting corruption, and that those who are corrupt, and stealing from the poor, will be brought to justice.

"We have no other choice but to continue fighting corruption" Ramaphosa said. "That is what Nelson Mandela would have wanted."

"The centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela gives us a great opportunity for renewal and rebuilding. As we remember this great leader, this year gives us an opportunity as we remember Mandela, to reaffirm our vision of a non-racial society, to build an SA for all our people," said Ramaphosa.

Since Ramaphosa was elected ANC president in December, pressure has been mounting for Zuma to resign as head of state amid allegations of his involvement in a series of corruption scandals.