Torchbearer Mbeki given rapturous welcome at big bash
THOUSANDS of people pushed and shoved in a sweaty crush to get into Free State Stadium before the ANC’S centenary rally got under way – but by the time President Jacob Zuma ended his lengthy speech, the stands were practically empty.
A combination of heat – with the mercury soaring to almost 40°C – and the tedium of the speech resulted in people leaving the stands before Zuma was halfway through his delivery yesterday.
The stadium was 90 percent full, and overflow venues were filling in the blazing midday heat in Bloemfontein, where the party’s three-day 100th birthday bash ended last night with music, a 100-minute history of the ANC in dance and drama, and a fireworks display.
Streets around the stadium and overflow venues were packed with supporters, some making their way into the venue, others selling food and party paraphernalia from stalls set up on the pavements.
Police and marshals were hardpressed to keep order.
Inside, the mood was festive, the stands a sea of mainly yellow ANC T-shirts, with patches of red worn by SACP members.
A giant steel arch provided some shade for the massive stage constructed in the middle of the pitch – where rugby is usually the order of the day – while the ANC leadership were shaded by green umbrellas.
ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema’s arrival just before 2pm sparked singing from a section of the crowd: “Malema, my president.”
Perhaps deliberately, he wore a plain white shirt, but had an ANC cloth draped over one shoulder.
There were big cheers – but some booing – for party secretarygeneral Gwede Mantashe when he arrived, a reflection of the youth league’s desire that he be replaced by its champion, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, at the ANC’S elective conference in December.
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe got a rousing welcome, as did SACP leader Blade Nzimande. But the biggest roar was for Zuma, who walked around the perimeter of the pitch, flanked by a running phalanx of camouflage-clad MK veterans and marshals.
Before completing his circuit he headed for the stage – apparently because Limpopo delegates were booing him.
Party chairwoman Baleka Mbete was quick to impose discipline, warning that troublemakers could be removed.
“Comrades in that corner – it’s not impossible for you to be thrown out if you want to upset our celebration,” she said.
After the strains of the national anthem had died away, prayers and blessings were delivered – including one from Rabbi Warren Goldstein. While ANC chaplain-general Vukile Mehana made a reference to the country’s other faiths, angry tweets questioned why there had been no word from Muslim or Hindu religious leaders. US politician and self-proclaimed “preacher of the Gospel” the Reverend Jesse Jackson wished the “new South Africa” a happy birthday.
Former president Thabo Mbeki, who, along with ANC veteran Ahmed Kathrada, handed over the centenary torch, was given a rapturous welcome. The flaming torch will travel around the Free State before moving to the Western Cape and then the other provinces.
“It will help our people remember our history and what our sacrifices have been,” said Mbete.
Introducing Zuma as he prepared to speak, she said it was important to remain “deeply conscious” of the ANC’S illustrious line of presidents, of which Zuma is the 12th.
Humility, good standing in society, integrity, incisiveness and collective work were the watchwords, Mbete said.
After Zuma’s speech, he cut a giant cake. Champagne corks popped and the party leadership drank a toast. Soon after the entertainment began, lightning forked in a sky darkened with rain clouds, and rain – seen as a blessing – began to fall.