"This organisation the ANC has been at the forefront of the struggle for most of the 20th century and it needs to rediscover and reclaim its original purpose."
This was unity, non-racialism, non-sexism and prosperity for all and not for a few, Gordhan said.
He said many of the country's state institutions were being tested. "They are also being influenced, or attempts are being made to influence them to do wrong and not serve democracy…"
Gordhan said those in leadership positions had a duty to leave these institutions stronger, better and morally more correct and more principled for the next generation.
Speaking about the Constitutional Court, following its Nkandla ruling, he said the judgment was a "testimony to the vibrancy and resilience of our democratic institution and all of us should be very proud of that".