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ANC centenary ‘costly’


baleka mbete

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Former deputy president Baleka Mbete. Photo: Sizwe Ndingane

The ANC's centenary birthday celebrations will cost more than R100 million, the party said on Tuesday.

“It will not cost less than R100 million, it is costly,” ANC national chairwoman Baleka Mbete told reporters in Joburg.

“It is not cheap but we believe... it is worth it. Future and younger generations need to know where we come from.”

The ANC was gathering archives and information about its history from around the world to be housed in one place.

“Some of the work is just priceless,” Mbete said.

“Friends” of the ANC were coming forward and helping with funding.

About 120 000 people were expected to attend the main 100 year birthday celebration in Mangaung in the Free State in January next year.

“We are now, as of today, 60 days away from the anticipated January 8 celebration to commemorate the birth of the oldest and surviving liberation movement in the continent.”

Mbete said the ANC had been preparing for the celebrations for the past two years. The main bash would start on January 6 and go on until January 8, 2012.

It would start in Waaihoek, in the Free State, which was the founding place of the ANC 100 years ago, Mbete said.

The weekend would include an interfaith night vigil, an awards ceremony, a traditional cleansing and restoration ceremony, a presidential centennial gala and then the main celebration at the Mangaung rugby stadium.

ANC president Jacob Zuma was expected to deliver the centennial address at the stadium on January 8. Many international guests were also expected to attend.

“(They) will be given the opportunity to speak about their relationship with the ANC,” said Mbete.

A number of African heads of state were coming, but Mbete said she could not give any more details.

The centenary celebrations would continue through 2012, with every month celebrating former ANC presidents.

“The closure of the centenary programme will be January 8, 2013,” Mbete said. – Sapa

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JR, wrote

IOL Comments
03:59pm on 8 November 2011
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WHo is paying for it? No tax payers paid for my birthday ever.

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GF, wrote

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03:52pm on 8 November 2011
IOL Comments

As usual Mbete is WRONG. Voters especially the younger want to know where ANC is going not where its been. They should be looking to the future not the shady past. She is full of her own self importance. How much will this costs the taxpayer in transport, accommodation, etc. etc. etc. Can't they do something worthwhile and uplifting instead of Johnny Walkering???

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Anonymous, wrote

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03:52pm on 8 November 2011
IOL Comments

These guys have absolutely no shame! - What they need... is a good spanking! Look at the face of that woman on that picture.....

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Anton, wrote

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03:51pm on 8 November 2011
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i doubt any ANC voter will even blink at the waste of money, they would probably support it fully... I'll bet if the DA had a celebratory party for 50 million rand, the ANC members would be up in arms, demanding that zille resigns and an enquiry set up. (the DA members would also probably be up in arms and demanding to know why it was authorised). Viva ANC, i hope the supporters remember to shout that as they sit in thier tin shacks waiting for their great leaders to help them out of poverty..........

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Anonymous, wrote

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03:46pm on 8 November 2011
IOL Comments

The arrogance, delusion and disassociation of the ANC knows know bounds. Theire priorties are so distorted and out of touch with the population that their demise is surely to occur before the decade is out.

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ceebee, wrote

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03:46pm on 8 November 2011
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This is just abuse of state funds, ANC style. They have no time for the poor, but with a song and dance and a free T shirt and Kentucky pack, all will be fine. Their support is too uneducated to work this out!

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Anonymous, wrote

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03:43pm on 8 November 2011
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Where the hell are our vip invitations, Free food vouchers and complimentary Johnnie Walker Blue Label bottles of whiskey?? After all, we the taxpayers are paying for this event aren't we?

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Jacob Zuma, wrote

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03:33pm on 8 November 2011
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Attention my faithfull voters and foolish taxpayers. When will you realise that I will keep taking and taking until there is nothing left? And when there is nothing left, and this country is burning like Zimbabwe, my family and I will retire to a beautiful European city and live the rest of our days lavishly spending the rest of your money while you struggle to feed your children in a broken land. Your job is purely to shut up... and pay up!! Ha ha ha ha ha!!!!

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Lothar, wrote

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03:34pm on 8 November 2011
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Is this what the founders of the ANC had in mind? Rather celebrate the centenary by putting the money where your mouth is. Educate our children, as they'll foot the real bill in the future that is being sold off for egocentric celebrations.

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A MUST READ, wrote

IOL Comments
03:29pm on 8 November 2011
IOL Comments

If you can’t beat them, join them. I’ll be there, give me meat and beer I will celebrate till morning comes and act irresponsible the way you spend our money. Be the clown as the rest of the world comes to watch the circus on our account with travel allowance included. And I will make it a weekend long party too. So have enough Heinikens. I am starting to feel sick in my stomach just reading this disgusting article. People cry for homes and basic services, you promised, our children die and the poverty line is ever lower. Have a party on that?

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GF.A, wrote

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03:23pm on 8 November 2011
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Looking forward to the party. Will there be edible T-shirts for the hungry?

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Jd, wrote

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03:22pm on 8 November 2011
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Cant the ANC party without wasting money?? and why does the word party in ANC's common-sense if it prevails, have to be an expensive word? The ANC does want to be outshined by the NYDA ( which wasted millions by inviting youth to kiss on the street) I give up.

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Anonymous, wrote

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03:22pm on 8 November 2011
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Buy 200 people houses they can own forever and change their lives and their families? Or a birthday bash?... Damn our government is stupid.

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Anonymous, wrote

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03:20pm on 8 November 2011
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To celebrate the ANC should use the money to help our citizens with petrol, taxes. toll fees, feed the poor, education, medical and pension. We cannot carry on paying for VIP cars, planes, accommodation and parties! Thats fruitful expenditure. Honestly, i dont see why presidency can use affordable ways to go about their ways. I just see a lavish and selfish government.

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Anonymous, wrote

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03:22pm on 8 November 2011
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This calls for a national strike .Lybia here we come .

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Nomathemba, wrote

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03:21pm on 8 November 2011
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O Gosh do they know how much does ittake to raise just 1 million to spend on party celebration?

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Mifozi, wrote

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03:16pm on 8 November 2011
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This party is well worth the money spent. You see, it allows people witness the style and class of our esteemed leader in person. There will always be party poopers - people who are square and do not appreciate a good party. Hopefully the future parties will not be so modest like this one. It works out to only R1000 per person. A party where 40 million ANC supporters are invited would cost only 40 billion rand. You must not be upset just because you are not invited.

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Brendan, wrote

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03:20pm on 8 November 2011
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I hope all the IDIOTS that voted for these clowns, lie on their rickety beds, while starving at night, and dream of the amazing time their leaders will have.

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Anonymous, wrote

IOL Comments
03:17pm on 8 November 2011
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Who is paying for this. The ANC stated a while ago they had no money to pay their staff, now R100,000,000.00 for a party. What about the poor. How much is the Lotto giving. This just shows what the ANC thinks of the poor, but carry on vote for them.

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Avner Eliyahu Romm, wrote

IOL Comments
03:11pm on 8 November 2011
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Let those who participate in these celebrations, or watch them on TV, pay for them. But it is unfair for those who are not interested to pay for something they are not interested in, or would like to have nothing to do with.

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