Ekurhuleni to fill up stadium for birthday bash

The ANC in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, said it had mobilised a substantial number of people to attend the party’s 112th birthday celebrations and wants to fill up the Mbombela Stadium today.

The Ekurhuleni region said the January 8th Statement was a historic event for all ANC members.

“The ANC in Ekurhuleni, along with the leagues and alliances, mobilised attendance at the 112th birthday of the ANC in Mbombela,” it said.

Despite enthusiasm from the region, questions are being asked if the party will manage to fill the Mbombela Stadium, especially with the birth of new political parties such as the uMkhonto weSizwe party.

But the region said all its members were disciplined and would be attending all the festivities of the birthday.

“We are certainly looking forward to the line of march from the January 8th Statement over and above the organisational work we are currently undertaking,” it said.

The ANC is also expecting to bus in people from different provinces to be part of the festivities and fill up the 43 500capacity Mbombela Stadium.

“The anniversary is an important event in our political calendar, more so in a year in which we will be marking 30 years of democracy,” the region said in a statement.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula told reporters this week that proper arrangements and mobilisation had been done on the ground and that the party was now awaiting the big day.

Mbalula said the party had criss-crossed the province, mobilising and conducting door-todoor visits.

The ANC said there would be a number of activities lined up at the stadium.

These will include live performances and a small march in solidarity with the people of Palestine.