He predicted that this, especially in the context of the planned Growth and Development Summit, would form the main focus of President Thabo Mbeki's opening-of-Parliament address on Friday.
"It is quite an important summit in the sense that it is also part of the efforts to mobilise our people to transform the South African society."
Business, labour, civil society and government are set to meet later this year to help identify ways to fast-track growth and eradicate poverty.
Nhleko said Mbeki was expected to address the question of social security grants and redistribution of wealth, and improving the competitiveness of the economy.
The focus for the African National Congress had moved away from setting up the processes and policies for development, to service delivery.
"Unity is called upon in the context that people will have to participate actively in transforming society and transforming all necessary levels of state.
"More importantly, is monitoring the extent to which government programmes are being implemented.
"We need to have this united front, a front that has got to fight against poverty and underdevelopment," he said.
The president was also expected to discuss global developments, as well as those on the continent.
The South African government, and the ANC, has taken a hard-line stance opposing a possible attack by the United States and Britain on Iraq.
Nhleko said South Africa would continue to play a major role in Africa, despite the country giving up the chair of the African Union later this year.
"Firstly, we will still promote party-to-party relationships...
also we are engaged with the whole issue of setting up of the Pan African Parliament."
The chief whip said there had been calls for South Africa to house Africa's parliament.
"There are quite strong views out there that seem to suggest that South Africa will have to be the seat of the Pan African Parliament.
"We will have to watch and check what develops there," he said - Sapa.
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