Ramaphosa pleased by Zuma’s presence at ANC’s 107th celebrations

JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa said he was glad that former president Jacob Zuma had joined in the celebrations marking 107 years of the ANC.

Zuma participated in a series of events alongside Ramaphosa to mark Africa’s oldest liberation movement’s birthday on Tuesday, including attending a church service, visiting the ANC’s founding president John Langalibalele Dube’s grave, and a mini-rally in Ohlange, Inanda.

He also stole the spotlight at the rally, receiving more cheers and applause than Ramaphosa from those in attendance.

Ramaphosa, speaking on Ukhozi FM on Tuesday evening, said the media made it look like the two leaders did not get along or even talk to one another.

“It was a wonderful thing that Zuma was around. The community also loved it and saw there are no issues between us,” said the president, who was speaking in Zulu.

He said two other former presidents – Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe – could not be in attendance.

Ramaphosa said Mbeki was in Vietnam, while Motlanthe was attending to affairs in New York, and insisted that they would be part of festivities if they were around.

While Ramaphosa admitted that some provinces and branches were still problematic, he claimed to not be losing sleep over them, as the movement was coming together.

“I sleep peacefully because I know there’s no other alternative, we have to hold hands… there is no other option but to work together,” said Ramaphosa.

The ANC president compared the liberation movement to the ocean, which he said had the ability to cleanse itself.

However, he admitted that organisations like his party often went astray, but insisted that the ANC was not only on the mend, but also growing.