INLSA

President Jacob Zuma

President Jacob Zuma will lead his ANC comrades in the party’s centenary celebrations in Bloemfontein at the weekend, and former president Thabo Mbeki is likely to address them too – but Zuma’s other political foe, ANC Youth League president Julius Malema, will not.

“It’s an ANC celebration. An ANC day, so no, only the president (Zuma) will speak,” said ANC spokesman Keith Khoza.

The ANC youth league did not form part of the official programme, he said.

He said Mbeki was likely to make an address on Friday evening at the gala dinner at the Vista Campus of the University of the Free State.

More than 1 000 guests will attend the lavish event hosted by the ANC, among them heads of state, businesspeople, party bigwigs and members of the ANC’s alliance partners.

Khoza said ANC national executive committee members had been deployed to various regions in the province – where the ANC was established 100 years ago – to mobilise the masses.

About 100 000 people were expected at the grounds of the university on Saturday where Zuma is scheduled deliver the January 8 statement outlining the party’s political trajectory for the next 12 months.

Not only is this the ANC’s centenary year, but in June the party will stage its policy conference, followed by its national general congress in December where it will return to its place of birth to elect new leadership.

The succession debate, yet to be formally opened, is already well under way, with some in the party – Malema prominent among them – ignoring ANC instructions not to engage in it. Malema and his allies are actively working against the ambitions of the incumbents, led by Zuma, to secure another term.

After this weekend’s celebrations, focus will shift to the outcome of the watershed end-of-year congress.

The ANC would undoubtedly prefer all eyes to be fixed on the accomplishments of the movement over the last century this coming weekend, with Zuma as the face of the historical movement in present-day politics.

But the tensions between the president and his ousted predecessor, and the Youth League president, are likely to draw attention.

Mbeki recently emerged from the political wilderness after Zuma appointed Willem Heath to head the Special Investigating Unit. Heath promptly made damning allegations against Mbeki in a press interview early last month.

The former president then demanded that Zuma provide “proof” of the “defamatory” and “malicious” claims against him. Zuma’s spokesman, Mac Maharaj, yesterday refused to confirm whether this had been done.

Malema, appealing against a decision by the ANC national disciplinary committee to suspend him from the mother body for five years, has not shared a public platform with Zuma since the finding.

As the ANC celebrates its 100-year milestone, the party moves into its next phase as a deeply divided organisation embroiled in bitter infighting, destructive power struggles and devious wheeling and dealing.

But Khoza was adamant the ANC would live to see another century. “This is an historical celebration. The ANC is the first liberation movement in South Africa and the continent to celebrate 100 years. No other movement has lasted this long. We are the oldest and still surviving liberation movement flagged by our supporters.

“This means the decision to build a better South Africa has remained alive for 100 years. We will live to see another 100,” said Khoza.

Invited guests and ANC members will be treated to a showcase of the historical moments of the ANC in the form of a song and dance production which will tell the story of the party. The best of South Africa’s talent will entertain the crowds.

It would be a “purely South African” bash, said Khoza.

As of last week, Khoza said, of the 100 heads of state invited more than half had confirmed attendance. It was likely that more would respond.