The African National Congress (ANC) turned 105 years this past weekend and the celebration was held at the Orlando Stadium. Thousands of ANC supporters from across the country braved the cold weather and rain and filled the stadium to listen to President Jacob Zuma.
This year’s event was also dedicated at celebrating the life of former ANC president Oliver Reginald Tambo who would have been turning 100 years old this year.
#Zuma – Deployees of the ANC must respect our people & listen to them. Public servants must also listen to our people & respond #ANC105
— African National Congress (@MYANC) January 8, 2017
“Tambo served as president of our Movement from 1967 to 1991 and is regarded as the glue that held the many facets of the ANC together during the difficult years in exile.
“Comrade OR united the movement by listening and engaging with the concerns of comrades, by staying true to the core values of the ANC and through displaying great integrity and discipline in serving his people,” Zuma said.
Apart from paying homage to Tambo, the president’s speech highlighted a variety of issues affecting the ANC and the country.
#PresZuma with#ANCTGMkhize at #ANC105 earlier today pic.twitter.com/LPwweJKkOM
— African National Congress (@MYANC) January 8, 2017
Unity within the organisation was top of the agenda.
Zuma said, “Today, our movement faces serious challenges to its unity. Divisive tendencies such as factionalism, gate keeping and manipulation of internal processes exist at all levels of the ANC, the ANC Leagues, the Alliance and the Mass Democratic Movement. These tendencies inhibit our ability to give decisive leadership to society.”
This was Zama’s last January 8 Statements as president and it comes at a time when the organisation is still recovering from the blow it suffered in last year’s Municipal Elections.
“ANC has heard the message that the people delivered in August 2016. We accept that we have made mistakes and shall correct these mistakes,” said Zuma.
#ANCPresident arrives at Orlando Stadium #ANC105 pic.twitter.com/fvpQFKrIhd
— African National Congress (@MYANC) January 8, 2017
On matters of the economy, the president noted that growth is slow due to the unstable global economy. Like many other developing economies, South Africa was negatively impacted by the Recession of 2008.Economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa is estimated to have slowed to 1.4% in 2016 from 3.4% in 2015. The ruling party is optimistic that this year a 2.9% growth will be achieved.
Zuma could not finish his speech without touching on the issue of land. “Our land reform and land redistribution programmes have shown measurable success.
“However, too many of our people continue to suffer from the historic injustice perpetrated by the horrendous land dispossessions. We must show courage and determination to ensure that the land is returned to the people,” he said.
#Zuma – Never again in our democracy will any newspaper be banned as happened in the World. The media should report factually #ANC105
— African National Congress (@MYANC) January 8, 2017
The January 8 Statement is delivered by the president of the ANC every year in celebration of the organisation’s birthday.
The ANC was founded in Bloemfontein in 1912 with an aim of fighting against racial segregation and creating nonracial society.
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