Sunday, January 10, 2016

ANC’s January 8 Statement Celebrations to Get Underway
Saturday 9 January 2016 10:35
Ntebo Mokobo & Sentleeng Lehihi

The African National Congress (ANC)’s 104th birthday celebrations are set to get underway at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium outside Rustenburg in North West.

President Jacob Zuma will deliver the party's January 8 statement later on Saturday.

The statement will outline the governing party's plan of action for the year.

Security is tight in the vicinity of the stadium.

Thousands of African National Congress (ANC) supporters are braving the scorching sun and streaming into the stadium to attend the party's birthday bash.

The celebration comes at a time when President Zuma conceded that the party will face the toughest election battle ever.

In some provinces, the ANC is rocked by factional divisions while in government it's presiding over declining economy.

In his speech, President Zuma is expected to be hard on factions and the problem of ignoring the people's view on nominations for municipal election candidates.

Meanwhile, ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe says, the January 8 Statement is a significant footprint within the ANC's history, because it is the day that the African National Congress was formed on the basis of unity.

Speaking on the side-lines at the Royal Bafokeng Staduim outside Rustenburg, Mantashe added that the growth of the party is an important step towards maintaining transformation.

“January 8th is a reminder that this organization was formed after many years of colonization, and when our kings fought wars of disposition … 104 years ago an organization was formed on the basis of unity. If we don’t understand our history we will not know our roots. January 8 is very important in the sense that it’s a way of giving directives and commands for the membership of the ANC.”

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