ANC birthday weekend boosts Moruleng economy

By Molaole Montsho

Moruleng’s hospitality and retail sectors recorded a surge in business during the ANC’s 114th birthday celebrations, with guest houses fully booked, vendors reporting higher sales, and spillover benefits reaching neighbouring towns and parts of Limpopo.

Accommodation establishments in Moruleng and nearby Mogwase reached full capacity during the weekend, forcing some visitors to seek lodging in Rustenburg, about 70km away.

The impact extended beyond the North West province. Thabazimbi Country Lodge, about 85km from Moruleng in Limpopo, was also fully booked.

“We have 27 rooms, and they are all taken for the weekend. The ANC event in North West boosted us in Limpopo. We are normally not busy, but this weekend we have received guests attending the event,” said Rophas Ndobe, the manager of the facility.

Retailers also benefited from the influx of visitors. The Moruleng shopping mall, located near the stadium where the celebrations were held, experienced a high volume of shoppers in the days leading up to and during the event.

Earlier this week, the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism said it had noted the significant and growing economic impact generated by the ANC’s January 8 Statement celebrations.

Economic Development, Environment, Conservation, and Tourism MEC Bitsa Lenkopane said she was encouraged by the economic activity associated with the event.

“As the MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, I am encouraged by the tangible economic activities already being generated by the ANC January 8th Statement Celebration in our province. This event goes far beyond politics — it unlocks meaningful opportunities for the local traders, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), accommodation providers, transport operators, and businesses across the tourism value chain, particularly as the sector continues to recover from the effects of COVID-19,” Lenkopane said.

Local vendors also reported increased sales. Food vendor Kereng Metsileng said the celebrations resulted in higher earnings than on normal trading days.

“I have made more money than on other days. I have to go to the butchery twice to buy meat, which means the butcher also gains money as we buy meat. It is not only us who benefited, but everyone involved in the supply chain. The cattle owner, the slaughters, the butcher, and vendors,” she said.

Pubs and liquor establishments in Moruleng and Mogwase were packed on Saturday night following the celebrations at Moruleng Stadium.

However, the Mayibuye Afrika Movement has criticised MEC Bitsa Lenkopane’s claim that the event delivered meaningful economic benefits to the local community.

The movement’s Ngaka Modiri Molema regional chairperson, Lucky Kgabi, said the ANC needed to directly support local businesses if it was serious about stimulating the township economy.

“If the ANC was serious about the local economy, they would sleep in township guest houses, hire local taxis, eat from local vendors, and put real money in the hands of ordinary people. Instead, they arrive in convoys of expensive cars, isolate themselves in luxury, and then lie to the public about economic benefits,” he said.