The African National Congress (ANC) has said its upcoming annual January 8 rally is not an opportunity for display of “opulence and crass materialism.”
In a statement issued by national spokesman Pule Mabe on Monday, the party said the rally is “a moment to rededicate ourselves to the unity and renewal of our movement.”
It said, “January 8 presents the ANC and the nation with an opportunity to take stock of the progress we have registered and to reflect on the road that still lies ahead.”
‘Call to action’
ANC added, “It is a moment to rededicate ourselves to the unity and renewal of our movement and to intensify our pursuit of radical socio-economic transformation.
“It is not an opportunity for bashes or display of opulence and crass materialism. Accordingly, the call to action for all cadres of our movement to respond with practical action to the marching orders as shall have been reflected in the January 8 statement.”
The ruling party was seemingly reacting to criticism from some quarters that the rally has become a jamboree of sorts in recent times.
This comes amid reports that the ANC paid its staff late in December. uMkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) spokesperson Carl Niehaus was among those affected.
ANC satisfied with state of readiness for rally
On December 25, he tweeted, “There is no need to sugarcoat the disappointment and there is nothing disloyal to my beloved movement, the ANC, to acknowledge this.”
In its statement on Monday, the ANC said it was satisfied with its state of readiness for the rally, which will be held on Saturday.
Although 8 January marks the 108th anniversary of the ANC’s founding in 1912, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the statement on Saturday at the Tafel Lager Park Stadium in Kimberley, Northern Cape.
The event will be preceded by “mass mobilisation programmes” led by Ramaphosa throughout this week, the party said.
These programmes will include “door-to-doors, blitz, walkabouts, community meetings and sectoral engagements.” There will also be cake-cutting ceremonies on Wednesday.
Ramaphosa will also lay a wreath at the graveside of the late first Secretary-General of the ANC, Sol Plaatjie, on Wednesday.