SOUTH AFRICA: ANC 50TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE: MANDELA SPEECH

(16 Dec 1997) English/Nat

South African president Nelson Mandela has wound up his time as head of the African National Congress with an emotional speech to the party's 50th national congress.

The wide-ranging 53-page speech took more than four hours to read, forcing the 79-year-old Mandela to rest several times and frequently drink water to clear his throat while wiping his sweaty brow in the stifling hot auditorium at the University of the North West.

The conference will choose new leaders and adopt policies to guide the A-N-C and South Africa into the next century.

It marks the final step of the A-N-C's transition from a liberation movement to a political party.

Thabo Mbeki is expected to be the only candidate to replace Mandela and will automatically be considered the new party president when the nominations close.

Mandela will remain president of the country until 1999, when the new A-N-C leaders chosen this week are expected to head the government after national elections that year.

The only candidate so far for deputy president - national chairman Jacob Zuma - could face a floor revolt from Mandela's ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It is most appropriate that it is at our 50th national conference that we're able to make these remarks."
SUPER CAPTION: Nelson Mandela, South African President

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Actually, you have already acted what I was going to say. All that remains for me to say is that as the struggle continues, victory is certain."
(Zulu)
"Power is ours."
(Tswana)
"Power is ours."
SUPER CAPTION: Nelson Mandela, South African President

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