S. Africa's ruling party leader promises to lead with distinction

JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The newly elected leader of the African National Congress (ANC), Cyril Ramaphosa, said on Tuesday that the ANC leadership will serve the South African people with distinction.

Ramaphosa, who was elected on Monday as the new president of the ruling party, told reporters that he and the other five members of the ANC leadership "are really, really humbled to be given this opportunity to serve our people."

"We will serve our people with distinction and humility. We will keep to the task given," Ramaphosa said.

"The leadership that has been chosen is a unity leadership. It's a leadership that combines the different views and approaches that were prevalent in the conference prior to the elections and we are pleased with that," he said.

Ramaphosa said the leaders are discussing policies which will guide them in delivering on their mandate.

The ANC is holding its 54th national conference, which will also elect 80 members of its national executive committee.

"The ANC family, this great organization of our people, wants to emerge out of this conference united, renewed and stronger than it was when we came in," Ramaphosa said. Enditem