The big tent is beyond hot. Close on 5,000 crammed in with no air con. The atmosphere is equally heated.
A couple of feet from where we are sitting a bunch of delegates from Limpopo are dancing and singing: "This is Zuma"s house and this is Ace's house. If you don't like it, get out." And "With Zuma we will rise here at home in Mangaung."
It's purposeful but also joyful. And triumphant. Three and a half hours after the conference was due to begin with inter-faith prayers and the national anthem, followed by Zuma's report, we are still waiting and the temperature is still rising.