ANC members arriving at Moruleng Stadium ahead of January 8 statement 

By Patrick Makinita

Hundreds of ANC supporters are continuing to arrive in large numbers at Moruleng Stadium in the North West to be part of the party’s 114th birthday celebration.

 President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is yet to arrive, is expected to deliver a keynote address at the main event.

ANC members, dressed in the party’s regalia, say they are expecting the president to address, among other issues, the high rate of unemployment, Gender-Based Violence, as well as drugs and alcohol abuse.

Reginald Mukhwevo from Vembe district in Limpopo said he is also expecting the president to address fraud and corruption among some party members. “ANC is a very powerful movement which liberated our people from the apartheid regime. 

“However, our party is facing difficult challenges of fraud and corruption. I’m expecting the president to address this matter because some of our leaders are taking advantage of the masses by enriching themselves with the money that is supposed to be used to deal with socio-economic issues.

” He must come with a long-term plan to deal with those involved,” said Mukhwevo.

Other ANC members, including Patricia Gaelebalwe of Boitekong township added: “High rate of crime, alcohol abuse and unemployment are some of the concerns the ANC government is facing. I am looking forward to the president to touch on these issues. Division amongst party members is one of the critical issues the president has to address. This is affecting the party’s membership, as most of the members are now crossing over to other political parties, so today I do hope that the president will address this,” she said.

Local businesses are taking advantage of the event, selling various items to the crowd. Police, soldiers, and traffic officers are present in numbers to ensure safety and security. Various artists from across the country are entertaining the crowd while they wait for the president to arrive and address them.