ANC readies itself for 112th anniversary in Mbombela

The ANC is pulling out all the stops to fill the 42 000-seat Mbombela Stadium when this giant political liberation movement hosts its 112th anniversary, also known as the January 8 Statement.

Scheduled for this Saturday, January 13, this annual celebration will see the party’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, addressing its members and outlining the organisation’s priorities for the year ahead.This year’s January 8 Statement is crucial to the ANC, since the country is headed for the national and provincial elections, which many political analysts predict will be the toughest for the current ruling party yet.

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The ANC’s secretary general, Fikile Mbalula, said proper arrangements and mobilisation have been done on the ground, and they now await the big day. Mbalula said they have criss-crossed the province, mobilising and conducting door-to-door visits.

On Sunday, some of the party’s heavyweights visited a number of churches around the province. But the highlight was the party’s deputy president, Paul Mashatile, and provincial chairperson, Mandla Ndlovu, visiting the Church on the Hill Prayer House. Mashatile asked the congregation for their prayers as they prepare for their toughest election since 1994.

“The ANC was formed in a church, and we come back today and seek guidance and your prayers in order to overcome our many enemies. This house was built on a strong foundation 112 years ago, and it will never fall,” he said.

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He said the ANC is in the process of renewal and rebuilding itself. Among other issues, the January 8 Statement is likely to focus on unemployment, crime, corruption, ill discipline from party members and the ongoing electricity crisis.