African National Congress (ANC) members are facing a challenging stage, party president Jacob Zuma said on Sunday during an Eastern Cape visit.

"We have reached a challenging stage in the history of the ANC, where our members' commitment is tested. We have to work hard for our organisation and defend it."

Zuma wrapped up his four-day visit to the province in Zwide, Port Elizabeth on Sunday.

He also said that the ANC did not intend to change the Constitution.

"We came up with the Constitution and we will defend it to the last," he said.

The Eastern Cape visit completed the countrywide tour the ANC president had already made to eight other provinces.

"The provincial visits, part of the ANC 's mass mobilisation programme in the run-up to the 2009 elections have succeeded in making the ANC understand the true needs of the people, and served to reaffirm the ANC's commitment to eradicate poverty".

During the visit, Zuma held discussions with key stakeholders, which included religious and traditional leadership.

Sapa