Cape Town — The ANC is commemorating its 112th birthday on Monday and the focus of this year’s January 8 statement will be on crime, corruption, and the ongoing electricity crisis in South Africa.
The annual event outlines the ANC’s priorities for the upcoming year.
The statement is expected to influence President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address next month.
His speech is anticipated to address economic concerns, job creation, and successes, including a slight decrease in crime figures.
The day’s events include a wreath-laying for Enos Mabuza, a cake-cutting, and a luncheon with veterans and their families.
MEDIA ADVISORY: ANC CELEBRATES ITS 112TH ANNIVERSARY pic.twitter.com/JbCOU0F5hR
— African National Congress (@MYANC) January 7, 2024
ANC secretary general, Fikile Mbalula, says the ANC intended to delivered many of it’s intended promises, while Ramaphosa is likely to have to repeat last year’s promises, due to insufficient progress on many of the challenges that the party and country have faced in the past, EWN reported.
Energy expert Lungile Mashele expects the president to focus a large chunk of its January 8 statement on the constant rolling blacks outs.
“There’s a lot of business but no political will. Such emergencies are dealt with by presidential decree in other countries.”
The economy and jobs, which are meant to be part of the legacy of Ramaphosa’s presidency, are also expected to feature prominently in the speech.
According to IOL, there are important considerations ahead of this year’s edition of the 8 January statement. The weight of an election year will set the tone for the ANC’s election campaign. The “ANC of Ramaphosa” has seen a decay in many aspects of the country.
2024 also marks the end of Ramaphosa’s first stint as head of state. He will face an appraisal of his performance is unavoidable. Arguably, the 2024 national general election is expected to be a referendum on Ramaphosa’s presidency.
Ramaphosa is expected to address supporters at the Mbombela stadium on Saturday.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
