Cape Town — African National Congress (ANC) chairperson Gwede Mantashe has described Mandela Park in Khayelitsha as the ideal venue for the party’s 113th anniversary celebrations.
Mantashe was speaking during the party’s birthday celebrations in Grabouw in the Overberg and said the ANC no longer needed fancy stadiums and decided to go where its supporters live. He was excited about the party’s decision to host the celebrations in Cape Town and said Khayelitsha was perfect, EWN reported.
“We decided to take the ANC to the people rather than look for good, fancy stadia. I love it, I must confess. I love it because it is the ability to interact directly with the people,” Mantashe said.
The ANC has typically held the party in a different province each year and the Western Cape has remained a significant province for the party.
“Because we’ve gone to all the other provinces. We are back here. After another nine years will be back here, so it’s quite important for us,” he said.
ANC National Chairperson Comrade Gwede Mantashe and NEC Member Cde Nobuhle Nkabane at a cake-cutting ceremony in Grabouw Ward 13, Overberg Region as we celebrate 113 years of the ANC, a movement rooted in the people
📍Siva Community Hall#ANC113#ANCeKapa #ThePeoplesMovement pic.twitter.com/6jRViX7k0c
— ANCLimpopo (@ANCLimpopo) January 8, 2025
The ANC has been in the Western Cape for the past week and has held several events ahead of the party.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile visited residents in Khayelitsha to listen to their grievances, where he promised the ANC would help.
According to Daily Maverick, ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, explained the significance of why the party chose Khayelitsha and the Western Cape, especially as the province is DA-led.
“Unfortunately, under DA-led provincial governance, the Western Cape remains a province where inequality persists. In areas like Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain; black, coloured and Indian communities continue to face rampant crime, unemployment, inadequate housing, and poor access to basic services,” he said.
He said the ANC chose Khayelitsha as it had a desire to reconnect with people and reaffirm its commitment to address the daily challenges they face.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
