Addressing Thabo Mbeki as my president, Nelson Mandela looked forward to when he would be able to spend time in his home village. Walking at his ease and enjoying peace and security, in a comfortable country.

It was a vision of a South Africa at peace. A country where everyones basic needs are catered for.

But it is a country of the imagination because South Africa's social problems are huge and profound. Thabo Mbeki addressed some of these difficulties in a short speech to end the conference proceedings.

He said the transformation of South African society, from one which was polarised and unequal, into a more caring country was the ultimate aim of the ANC. But the task facing him and the party is far from easy.

Their congress has shown that they have made their transition from an older generation of freedom fighters, to a more technocratic leadership capable of running the country efficiently. But there are many issues which have not been discussed in public here at the conference.