Making strides in liberating native people for over a century has been the African National Congress (ANC) party’s motive which has been executed through many sacrifices and breakthroughs. ANC was established on the 8th of January 1912 as an initiative that was opposing the atrocities that the apartheid system had subjected black people to. The organization was founded by a collective of conservative, educated, and religious people belonging to the black South African society. They united
with the same vision of liberating their people from laws made by the apartheid system that were oppressing their people. Although ANC’s first stand against apartheid was passive it later became an echo of rebellion against the apartheid government when it was labeled as a terrorist organization and banned as a political party. This was passed down from generation to generation like a baton in a relay for freedom.
After 82 years of the party’s struggle as supported by a large population of the country, it finally reached its primary goal of liberating its people when they were allowed to vote for the first time in South African political history. In the last thirty years of ANC’s governance of the country in its era of democracy, it has been working hard to undo the damage that was caused by the apartheid regime and spearhead the progress of the country by keeping the best interests of people in all diversity at
heart. Despite the shaken faith of people in the ANC due to its corruption scandals, they are still standing firm on the founding principles of the political party by doing their best to amend the already done
damage. The ANC chose to commemorate this year’s anniversary of their party in Mpumalanga by delivering their January 8 statement at Mbombela stadium.
The commemoration included many other activities which are said to be carried throughout the entire week. A wreath-laying ceremony at the late Enos Mabuza’s grave set a tone of honouring all the legends
and stalwarts who had laid their lives for the liberation of our country. This ceremony was led by the president that morning of the anniversary. Later in the afternoon as he gave his formal address at the
cake-cutting ceremony he mentioned that the reason for paying homage and vising Enos Mabuza’s family was a way for the ANC to shake the bones similarly to a biblical transcript and revive the initial vision of the political party which led its existence.
“Comrades, as we celebrate this birthday we must pause and honour the lives of those who fell in the struggle for the past hundred and twelve years. There are many people to whom we owe our freedom and sometimes we never pause to think about them, we never pause to take off our hats to them and say thank you for engaging in the struggle,” said the president as he gave his speech.
He added to his statement by asking the crowd to bow their heads in a moment of silence to honour all those who had fallen in the struggle for our country’s freedom. In conjunction with the January 8 statement
delivered annually, he said that it should be a tradition that a moment of silence is taken in remembrance of all who contributed to the liberation of South Africa. As a way of cementing the stance of the ANC in honouring all political legends who are either living or have passed away, he declared that on the 8th of January, the ANC would visit the homes of political legends just as they did with Enos Mabuza and pay homage to them and their families.
As the normal proceedings of delivering the organization’s January 8 statement which outlays the party’s plans for the year, the president highlighted some of the things that were anticipated to be addressed. His statement gave a clear depiction of the Organization’s success in combating issues such as electricity penetration which is now up to 95% and the significant increase in literacy rates in our country since ANC came to office in 1994. He also mentioned that even though the country is facing several challenges regarding GBV, corruption, and an energy crisis the party is working at its absolute best to face all challenges with the strategies that are already in motion and showing much progress.
“The renewal and rebuilding of our movement is beginning to bear fruits, as we continue to focus on rebuilding our branches and other structures to improve our functionality,” exclaimed the president. The cake-cutting ceremony was closed off with a lunch arrangement set between the president, families of veterans, and stakeholders.
By Rhulani Fundzama
