Ruling parties often go through challenges after the first decade, ANC president Jacob Zuma said in his online letter at the weekend, ahead of the party's mass campaign in Bloemfontein.

"People begin to explore other avenues, especially when they feel they are losing control and influence within the movement. The interests of people outside the movement, locally or internationally would also come into play."

He said the ANC-led government had done well "to reverse the legacy of apartheid".

"We also had to deal with the systematic underdevelopment of the indigenous people, the wanton poverty and deprivation. These cannot be reversed in only a few years. However, we have made substantial progress," he said.

Since democracy, he said the ANC had been successful in extending basic services to millions of South Africans.

"Thousands now have houses, water, electricity and other basic services. For the next five years, we have decided to reduce the number of priorities and focus on the most essential developmental areas for the people of South Africa."

"The ANC is ready to work hard"

These included education, health, rural development and agrarian reform, job creation, as well as safety and security.

"We believe it is best to focus on these five areas rather than a long wish list, which would be difficult to deliver on... "

He said ministers responsible for energy would also work on the development of new energy resources.

"The ANC is ready to work hard to ensure that we regain the fundamental elements of our revolution... "

On Zimbabwe, Zuma said swift action was needed.

"We are concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian and political situation... We feel that more pressure needs to be brought to bear on the negotiating parties to ensure a speedy conclusion of an agreement.

"We cannot keep Zimbabweans on tenterhooks while the situation in the country deteriorates."

Sapa