Delegates resumed policy discussions virtually in all the provinces on Thursday after they were unable to conclude business in December due to registration delays.

The party issued its conference declaration in the early hours of Friday morning.

Critical issues that need to be focused on to improve the lives of South Africans are outlined in the declaration.

"The 55th National Conference rose with determination to implement the immediate programme of renewal, which demonstrates that the ANC by its actions can be trusted to put the improvement of the condition of life of all the people at the centre of all its actions. 

"The campaign will focus on three issues critical to our people which are (a) delivery of basic service at the local government level, (b) addressing state capture and corruption, and (c) ensuring the active participation of the people in development".

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Newly elected secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula stated that an outward-looking ANC with a clear programme must be built to serve the people.

"All ANC structures have to change their focus towards the people we serve and the problems and challenges they face in their daily lives. We must build dynamic ANC branches that engage with communities and become active in ward committees. 

"Branch members must join community policing forums and work with local law enforcement to promote safety in our communities and combat the vandalism of community infrastructure.

"We must develop strong branches that monitor local services to prevent corruption and poor service delivery while they strengthen advice offices and contact centres for residents to access government services. We also believe that central to the renewal agenda is the quality of the membership."

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to brief the nation on Sunday when he delivers his address at the party’s 111th birthday celebrations in the Free State.