The ANC's national executive committee will review a tumultuous period in its history when it begins its final meeting of the year in
Midrand on Friday.

Spokesman Brian Sokutu said the three-day meeting, to be held at Gallagher Estate, a conference venue between Johannesburg and Pretoria, would review the last year and examine the party's readiness for next year's general election.

"It is important that there be a review of the challenges that have faced the organisation thus far," he said.

The party's decision-making body was elected in Polokwane, Limpopo, last December and has had its plate full with the recall of president Thabo Mbeki, and the installation of party deputy Kgalema Motlanthe as president of the country.

Party president Jacob Zuma finally shook off corruption charges that have been dogging him since 2003, but in the aftermath of that court judgment, the party had to deal with the surprise breakaway by some of its staunchest members to form a new party.

Its youth league's sometimes controversial statements of support for Zuma have also kept the party's spokespeople busy.

In line with a resolution it took last December, the ANC is in the final stages of placing the Scorpions, which had led the investigation against Zuma, under the control of the police.

As it enters the period ahead of the election, for which over 21 million people are already registered, the ruling party will also have to manage concerns over how the global financial crisis will affect its own economic policies and its goals on growth and poverty alleviation.

The meeting is expected to end on Sunday.