By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa led a wreath-laying ceremony at the gravesite of esteemed anti-apartheid leaders Moses and Rebecca Kotane, as part of African National Congress (ANC) 114th birthday celebrations in Rustenburg, North West.
Ramaphosa highlighted the significance of Kotane’s contributions to the anti-apartheid struggle, urging ANC members, particularly the youth, to build upon the “firm foundation” he established.
“Moses Kotane stands as a reminder that our struggle requires not only courage in confrontation, but responsibility in organisation and consistency in executing the tasks of our struggle,” Ramaphosa emphasised.
Ramaphosa paid tribute to both Moses and Rebecca Kotane, describing them both as invaluable struggle icons who contributed immensely to South Africa’s Struggle for freedom, during a wreath-laying ceremony at the former freedom fighter’s resting place in Pella.
“Today, we stand here, all of us as members of this community and the ANC and the alliance, to pay our tribute to the lives of Moses Kotane and Rebecca Kotane. Both of them occupy a towering place in the history of our country and also in the history of our liberation movement and the Struggle.”
Kotane, who served as general secretary of the SACP and ANC’s treasurer general, died in Russia in 1978, with his remains only returned to his hometown in the North West in 2015.
The president also reiterated that the ANC is focused on improving municipalities through its Local Government Action Plan.
Ramaphosa said that the government’s Operation Vulindlela has entered a second phase, targeting municipal challenges to drive transformation at a grassroots level.
“We have started at the ANC to focus more on local government. So all these matters and challenges are being addressed, and we are addressing them in a focused way. And the local government elections are going to give us an opportunity to truly transform local government.”
Ramaphosa added that transforming South Africa would never be a one-day event, but rather a generational process.
He said 347 years of colonialism and apartheid destroyed the country’s fortunes.
“In 30 years, we will not be able to reverse that history completely, but a real attempt is being made, changing the lives of our people. And in many ways, the efforts that we are making are beginning to show progress.”
Founded in 1912 to unite South Africans against colonial oppression, the ANC famously led the fight against apartheid and has governed the country since 1994.
Today, the party celebrates its legacy while grappling with declining electoral support, internal divisions, governance challenges, and public frustration over issues like unemployment, corruption, and service delivery.
This year’s celebrations in Rustenburg, North West, have included door-to-door campaigns, community engagements, and a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony, culminating in a rally at Moruleng Stadium where Ramaphosa is expected to outline the party’s priorities for 2026.
While ANC members celebrate, South Africans continue to express skepticism online and in communities, noting that coalition politics and corruption scandals have shaken confidence in the party. Some see the 114th anniversary as an opportunity for reflection, while others view it as a litmus test of the ANC’s ability to reconnect with voters.