Johannesburg - African National Congress leaders were at the historic Kliptown in Soweto on Friday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Freedom Charter.
President Jacob Zuma was expected to deliver the keynote address.
ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, the party’s Gauteng chairman Paul Mashatile, ANC deputy chairwoman Baleka Mbete and treasurer Zweli Mkhize were inside a marquee set up within Walter Sisulu Square. Along with cabinet ministers, some premiers and MECs, they sang revolutionary songs and danced as they waited for the proceedings to begin.
Soweto residents arrived on foot, buses and taxis and queued outside the marquee entrance.
ANC secretary Gwede Mantashe pleaded with young people to offer seats to the elderly who were being kept outside as the venue was already full.
Residents arrived clad in ANC colours and waving ruling party flags.
Soweto resident Anna Maphumulo, 58, said she remembered being told about the event in high school.
“I remember one of my history teachers telling us about the Kliptown township, he would put down the history textbook at the end of the lesson, and tell us what was not in the textbook. He liked telling us about the first leaders of the ANC, how it was formed in the Free State and the Freedom Charter and what it contained,” she said.
The shacks surrounding the historic square should be removed and decent houses built, she said.
“Wherever there are shacks, you know there is serious poverty and joblessness. People here need empowerment.”
Thebe Tiro, 30, said the ANC needed to fully implement the Freedom Charter.
“Two important aspects are economic freedom and access to land, not forgetting free quality education for all as stated in the document. I do not know if the ANC is prepared to do everything that is outlined in the Charter, but it is important that nothing is left out, or else [EFF Leader Julius] Malema will take over the country and probably implement the Freedom Charter in one sweep through policy overhaul,” he said.
The historic Freedom Charter was adopted by thousands of South African who gathered in Kliptown in June 1955, organised by the ANC and its allies. The document consisted of core principles and the ruling ANC uses the document to guide policies.
The Walter Sisulu Square, formerly known as Freedom Square, houses small businesses and the Soweto Hotel.
ANA