The lack of conflict at the conference was not a result of harmony within the ANC – scandals related to the Arms Deal and HIV/AIDS denialism were ongoing, and there had been several highly public internal disputes in the preceding months.

Minister of Safety and Security Steve Tshwete had publicly accused Cyril Ramaphosa, Tokyo Sexwale, and Mathews Phosa, all popular senior ANC members, of spearheading a political conspiracy against Mbeki, including by spreading rumours that Mbeki had been complicit in the assassination of Chris Hani in 1993.

[5] Historian Tom Lodge has interpreted these and other public spats as efforts by Mbeki loyalists to defend him against potential challengers at the 2002 conference.

[14] In his closing address, Mbeki attacked what he called "ultra-leftists" who attempted to sow division and factionalism in the ANC.

[5] Mthembi-Mahanyele was appointed unopposed as Deputy Secretary General when the incumbent, Thenjiwe Mtintso, declined a second term on the grounds of ill health; there were no other changes to the composition of the Top Six between 1997 and 2007.

[17] The additional 60 members of the NEC were elected from a very short list of 71 nominees, 36 of whom had been unanimously supported by all nine provinces during the nominations phase.