The African National Congress used to be "a lot more orderly," Finance Minister Trevor Manuel said on Wednesday evening.

He was addressing leading businessmen from the South African Greek, Italian and Portuguese communities in Sandton.

"These have been difficult years," Manuel said.

"In the ANC we always had a leadership that dealt with issues," he said.

Manuel added one of the difficulties was that some of the cadres who had always been looked up to had passed on, while others were no longer participants in the party.

"But I am sure this will pass ? the reason I am still an ANC member is because I know it will pass. There is too much history and tradition to walk away from," he said.

Asked about his tenure as finance minister, Manuel said he served at the pleasure of the president.

"But I can't do a job like finance minister forever.

"This is a discussion that the incoming president can best answer. But I wouldn't have gone on to the ANC list if I hadn't decided on my preparedness to go on serving," Manuel said.