Speaking to reporters on Jan. 21, Smuts Ngonyama of the African National Congress, addressed the politically volatile situation of land hunger among millions of landless South African Blacks.

"Whether we say no to foreigners or if we make land available to them there must be certain conditions. This must all be debated," he said.

Mr. Ngonyama was summarizing some of the topics discussed at the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) "lekgotla" (meeting) which took place days earlier.

Land is a natural resource, concurred ANC secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe, and if the rand continued to depreciate, South Africa did not want to be in a position where the "jewels of land" were owned by foreigners.

"We must guard against this. Even if we promote tourism we could find that foreigners are the main beneficiaries," he said.

Discussing decisions taken at the lekgotla on South Africa�s economy, Mr. Ngonyama said the ideas of all stakeholders had to be taken into consideration to establish programs that would aid economic growth.

He said ANC branches would also be asked to monitor food prices that could soar due to the currency�s drop.

"Noting the potential impact of the depreciation of the rand on food prices, (we) call on all actors in the food sector to act with responsibility and restraint," Mr. Ngonyama said.

A partnership was needed between producers and consumers to make sure the needs of all were met, the ANC officials said.

Turning to Zimbabwe, Mr. Motlanthe said the ANC was in constant, dynamic talks with Zimbabwe�s ruling Zanu-PF party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

Zimbabwe, which is in a state of political and economic turmoil, plans to hold presidential elections in March.

He said the Zanu-PF leadership had committed itself in discussions with the ANC to general elections that "would not lend themselves to question."

Mr. Motlanthe called on the MDC and Zanu-PF leadership to hold discussions, saying this would help ease tensions.

He said another reason the two should communicate was that there was a strong possibility that the elections would be closely contested.

Leaders of the MDC and Zanu-PF were at the moment engaging through a third party and this was not helping matters, Mr. Motlanthe added.

The ANC would not contemplate any form of action, such as sanctions, against Zimbabwe, except discussions with Zanu-PF to bring back stability.

"Our discussions (with them) are open. We (have) made them aware that if they don�t approach the elections well, they may actually create space for the undermining of sovereignty and the little stability that remains there," the secretary-general said.

"We hope at some point the penny will drop (where) the time arrives where one asks, �am I the only one who has the wisdom; can all the others be wrong?�" Mr. Motlanthe said, referring to Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe�s reign.

The NEC called on the Zimbabwe Defense Force to remain impartial during the elections and to respect the outcome of the vote.

Earlier, Zimbabwean generals said they would not back a president who was not from the country�s liberation struggle.

Mr. Ngonyama said the ANC would continue efforts to create peace and stability on the continent. The NEC also expressed solidarity and support for the people of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo following volcanic eruptions in the area.

On "tensions" in the tripartite alliance comprising the ANC, Congress of SA Trade Unions and the SA Communist Party, Mr. Ngonyama said ongoing bilaterals would help strengthen the foundation of the group, restore trust and address areas of policy difference.

The ANC will hold regional general meetings countrywide on Feb. 16-17 and February 23-24 where the party�s program of action for the year will be explained.

The party�s 51st national conference will be held in the Western Cape Dec. 11-16.