President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday said he would resign with an open heart if the ANC wanted him to resign immediately.

“There is a few more months left before my task as president ends. In December, a new president will be elected. I don’t know who it will be, the ANC will elect.

“In 2019, I will take off my hat being the state president. I want to tell you that even if you said tomorrow I should step down from these positions, I would do so with a clean heart,” Zuma told thousands of ANC members who had gathered to celebrate his 75th birthday in Kliptown, Soweto.

But, said Zuma: “I want to tell you my leaders that I will be a member of the ANC until I die.”

Zuma said when he steps down, he will dedicate most of his time to working for the ANC.

“I won’t demand a salary because I will be a pensioner and I will work very hard.”

ANC membership ‘a blessing’

Zuma said his skill at debating ANC policies and issues would always have a place in the party.

“I don’t want people to fool themselves that when I step down, I will disappear into obscurity. I will be at my branch. When there is a conference, I will be a delegate, I will be there with you.”

He said when he joined the ANC he did not hold a position. – News24