Building support in N Cape
DROVES of ANC supporters are tomorrow expected to join in the festivities as the ruling party builds up momentum ahead of its January 8 rally, to be held at the weekend.
In celebrating the formation of the party, there will be several cake-cutting ceremonies in all regions and in Kimberley in the Northern Cape, with the leadership saying everyone would have an opportunity to celebrate the momentous occasion despite the vastness of the province.
The ruling party issued its first January 8 statement in 1972, when it outlined its annual programme. The next statement was only issued in 1979, but since then it has become an annual tradition.
During this week’s celebrations, Ramaphosa is expected to be in Galeshewe, where he is set to meet community members and members of various structures in the Francis Baard region.
He will also lay a wreath at the graveside of the movement’s late first secretary-general, Sol Plaatjie, and another wreath at the graveside of Struggle veteran Ma-Mittah Seperepere.
Ramaphosa’s deputy, David Mabuza, is scheduled to visit the ZF Mgcawu region.
But with the party having been challenged in the local government elections in 2016 and, as a result, losing key metro municipalities, the party may use its time in Kimberley to garner support ahead of next year’s municipal elections.
“The ANC has remained intact for over a century and continues to be the only hope and true embodiment of the aspirations of millions of our people,” deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte said yesterday while addressing the media.
She added that the party was keenly aware that in order to deepen transformation and make decisive advances towards building a national democratic society, united action by the motive forces of the NDR was critical and indispensable.
“The working class, youth and students, women, professionals and all progressive sectors of society must be mobilised to continue leading a sustained radical offensive against the remnants of the apartheid and colonial legacy,” she said.
In addressing some of the criticism levelled against the ruling party about the poor conditions communities in the Northern Cape find themselves in, secretary-general Ace Magashule told reporters on the sidelines that the ANC’s presence in the province was long overdue.
“Now that we have seen, we will try to address the (issues),” he said.
Saturday’s 108th birthday rally will be held at the Tafel Lager Park Stadium.