By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) celebrated its 111th birthday celebration after concluding part two of its 55th national conference which saw President Cyril Ramaphosa being re-elected as party president for a second term.
The party painted the streets of Mangaung green, black and gold as it engaged in several build-up activities including a fundraising gala dinner and golf day, mini rallies, visiting the grave sites of former ANC leaders and addressing party structures.
Ramaphosa delivered the ANC’s January 8 statement at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Mangaung, Free State on Sunday.
The celebrations marked ANC’s 111th anniversary since its formation in 1912.
Addressing the crowd alongside the two boys who were allegedly the victims of a racially motivated attack on Christmas Day, Ramaphosa again expressed concern over racist incidents in the country.
“Racism is rearing its ugly head in our national life and threatening the foundations of our constitutional democracy, fuelling anger and frustration that can result in retaliatory violence, “he said.
He sent a clear message, saying South Africa was not a place for racism.
The spirit of our forebears who fought against the apartheid system must fill you with courage as it does all of us.
But we also want to send a clear and straight message to those in our country who still want to perpetuate racism, we say South Africa today, we do not want racists here in South Africa. If you want to practice your racist tendencies, South Africa is not the place to come and practice them.
“If you practice racism we will make sure you feel the might of the law because the people of South Africa will never allow racism to reign our country again,” Ramaphosa continued.
The president further told the boys not to be scared to stand up to white people.
“It was such a shameful act to see old white men trying throttle these young men, to drown them in a pool under water and that’s why I have have them here as my guests today,” he said.
“I thank you boys, you must be strong and not be afraid of white people. They don’t have the strenght anymore… apartheid is over, “Ramaphosa said in Sesotho.
Ramaphosa added there would been no rainbow nation without sacrifice.
“The spirit of resistance against apartheid and colonialism and the courage struggle for liberation and democracy remains present and powerful.
“This spirit calls upon us to recorgnise the injustices of the past, it also calls upon us to honour those who suffered and sacrificed for freedom in our land.”
Three men, 48-year-old Kobus Klassen, 33-year-old Johan Nel, and 47-year-old Jan van der Westhuizen have since been arrested in connection to the Maselspoort incident, which was captured on CCTV footage.
They will be back in court later this month.
Nel and Van der Westhuizen face charges of common assault crimen injuria, while Klassen faces a charge of attempted murder.
Watch Live proceedings in the video below
Video Courtesy of African National Congress.