By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula outlined the significance of hosting the January 8 statement at the Mandela Park stadium in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.
Mbalula briefed media on Saturday, December 21, reflecting on a number of issues in the public domain.
He said Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha was the party’s first choice to celebrate its 113th birthday, where its president, Cyril Ramaphosa, will also deliver the January 8 statement on 11 January.
The stadium has a capacity of about 2 000 people, it is a far cry from the venues where the party has previously hosted its January 8 statement. In 2024, the party hosted its 112th anniversary at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga, with a capacity of 43 500.
“Khayelitsha has been our first choice. We are going to Khayelitsha, we are not going to DHL, we are not going to Athlone Stadium, we are going to the township. That is where we are going. We are going to our people to connect with our people.
“We have realised in the last election that there will be no stronger ANC if it does not connect with its base. We are who we are because of the working class as the primary motive force of the national democratic … we are who we are and where we are because of our people,” said Mbalula.
Since the ANC lost power to the DA in the Western Cape in 2009, it has struggled to make inroads in the province.
Mbalula also slammed those who opposed the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (Bela Act), calling it “wrong and populist.”
His comments came after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Bela Bill fully into law on Friday, December 20.
However, the bill was initially signed into law on September 13, Ramaphosa suspended the implementation of clauses 4 and 5 for three months to allow further consultations.
Mbalula expressed huge concern about the ANC leaders who were opposing the bill and described their actions as undermining the party’s leadership.
“It is a disappointment, “Mbalula said.
Why will others speak on the sideways as though there is doubt about leadership, that it won’t be provided? ” he questioned.
“It is wrong. It is populist. It is populist,” Mbalula added.
Although he did not disclose the names of the people in the ANC, who opposed the Act, Mbalula said the party will not tolerate populist actions within its ranks.
He said the party will take strong action against those within the party and have opposed the bill.
Mbalula further stressed that the ANC under the leadership of Ramaphosa, is committed to advancing the National Democratic Revolution (NDR), which seeks to transform the country into a non-racial, democratic and just society.