Government is being urged by the African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal to reduce privatisation measures and play a bigger role in the economy.

"This will require the government to play an active role on the strategic sectors of the economy; in particular [in] mining, financial industry, agriculture and land redistribution," provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala said on Sunday.

This emerged in the declaration made by the party at it's provincial congress held in Newcastle over the weekend.

The declaration called for the State to "play a more involved role" in growing the economy.

The conference adopted a number of resolutions over the weekend that would be taken along with the declaration of the party's national policy conference in June.

A resolution adopted by the ANC in the province was the need to regain support for the party in the Indian, coloured and white communities.

Cyril Xaba, the premier's advisor, said the conference noted "the decline of ANC membership in the minority communities and that the ANC is still struggling to attract especially young Indians, coloureds and whites."

The ANC believed that the majority of South Africans supported its efforts to build a truly non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous nation.

Xaba said the conference resolved to "instruct the incoming leadership to accelerate programs of recruitment in these areas as part of strengthening the non-racial character of the ANC."

Another resolution was taken on the conflict of interest of the judiciary.

The ANC in the province wanted judges to declare their interests and financial disclosure.

"Declaration of interest and financial disclosures enhance transparency and promote accountability and good governance," said Xaba.

The conference supported the call for routine disclosure of interests by all public office bearers, including judges.

Another resolution taken was on the disbanding of the ANC Youth League's provincial executive committee by the national leadership.

Xaba said the disbanding had left a leadership vacuum in the province.

"[We] call upon the ANC NEC [national executive committee] to speedily resolve the issue. The ANC regions must continue to provide support and political guidance to strengthen ANC Youth League structures within the KZN province."

Other resolutions taken included those on political assassinations, unemployment, poverty and inequality, violence against women and children, preparations for the 2014 elections, integrated long-term development planning and recognition of fallen heroes.

The congress ended on Sunday.

The provincial leadership remained the same after the weekend conference.

On Friday night, delegates at the congress unanimously decided to retain the same leadership led by Mkhize and forgo voting.

However, voting for additional provincial executive committee (PEC) members went ahead on Saturday.

Mkhize would remain in his position as chairman. Deputy chairman Willie Mchunu, secretary Sihle Zikalala, deputy secretary Nomusa Dube and treasurer Peggy Nkonyeni would also stay in their positions.

The additional PEC members included: Senzo Mchunu, Siyabonga Cwele, Ina Cronje, Bheki Ntuli, Ntombikayise Sibhidla, Lydia Johnson, Ravi Pillay, Mildred Olifant, Lungi Gcabase, Jabu Khumalo, Mthandeni Dlungwane, Nomvusa Shabalala, Ester Qwabe, Hlengiwe Mavimbela, Mxolisi Kaunda, Bongi Sithole, Senzo Mkhize, Lindiwe Njoko, Sipho Gcabase and Nigel Gumede.