African National Congress (ANC) Deputy President David Mabuza has said the party can still be cured of corruption, factionalism and ill discipline.
Mabuza made the comment on Wednesday while addressing party supporters in Upington, Northern Cape.
He said, “As we celebrate 108 years of existence, we commit ourselves to cure this disease of corruption, factionalism [and] ill discipline. We commit to serve our people because we can’t come this far and betray our people now.”
ANC unity
Mabuza and other ANC leaders marked the 108th anniversary of the party’s founding with several ceremonies across the Northern Cape on Wednesday.
They are also drumming up support for the ANC’s January 8 rally to be held on Saturday in Kimberley.
The Deputy President added, “We will deal with all the problems within the ANC. We are going to work for unity within the movement. We are going to deal with corruption and fight ill discipline.”
He said while the ANC has acknowledged its mistakes and committed to resolving them, it should also acknowledge its strengths and successes.
Ramaphosa to address January 8 rally
ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to deliver the National Executive Committee’s (NEC) statement at the rally on Saturday.
On Wednesday morning, he led a wreath-laying ceremony at the gravesite of the ANC’s first Secretary-General and founding member, Sol Plaatjie.
At the event, Ramaphosa vowed that the party’s leadership with work to rebuild and restore it in Plaatjie’s memory.
He said, “To the sacred memory of Cde Solomon Tsekisho Plaatjie. Your intellectualism inspired the vision of the African National Congress.
“We pledge to you that we will continue on the path you crafted in the beginning. We will restore the ANC to be the ANC that you envisaged.
“During #ANC54, we recommitted to the full unity and renewal of the ANC, with disciplined membership, committed servant leaders who subscribe to the highest values of the ANC. We will rebuild the ANC to be strong, powerful, and continue to serve the interests of the people.”