In order to avoid factionalism and anarchy at the conference, the ANC leadership should allow party structures to start the debate to save the ruling party from drowning.

It should happen now so that the party members aren't distracted from policy by a few narcissistic individuals bent on using slate to curry favour and collect votes.

ANC members should use this time to discuss leadership issues freely within the party structures. At present the debate is only in the media.

The National Disciplinary Committee: Appeals' judgment on the matter relating to the ANC Youth League leaders - the only ones in the ANC motivating for succession debate - can only mean that feathers have been ruffled and the dirty battle for the soul of the ANC is on.

The debate should take place under the guidelines of the anc's constitution - in particular, the principles of freedom of speech, and free circulation of ideas and information should be allowed to operate within the anc.

The comment made by President Jacob Zuma this week that the attempt to open the 2012 succession debate was "ill conceived and premature" does not bode well for the organisation.

Zuma said this at Cosatu's 10th National Congress while explaining that the ANC top brass had decided to develop a code of conduct for lobbying ahead of the electoral conference in December.

The president is quoted as saying the debate could not divert the ANC from delivery and "think about who will be what in 2012" in terms of leadership.

He said that would be opportunistic.

It is clear from the president's tone that he wants the succession debate left until it is too late to prevent the dirty battle.

One cannot help but wonder why he thinks it will be opportunistic to open the debate now.

Is he after a second term - which might be possible now that Julius Malema and friends are out of the way?