INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS

Former deputy president Baleka Mbete. Photo: Sizwe Ndingane

The ANC on Wednesday revealed the plans for its upcoming centenary celebrations.

ANC chairwoman and former deputy president of South Africa, Baleka Mbete, said the party were prepared for the scheduled events.

“Our preparations and readiness are on course in terms of ensuring that we mark this historic moment in the best deserved way by the people of South Africa,” she said in a statement.

The three-day celebration will take place in Bloemfontein (Mangaung), Free State in January next year.

Mbete said the celebration would “kick-start” with a centenary golf day on Friday, January 6.

On January 7, the ANC would hold a thanks-giving ceremony, an inter-cultural event and a centenary dinner hosted by President Jacob Zuma.

The dinner would be attended by various head of states and governments, and would culminate in the lighting of a centenary flame by Zuma, Mbete said.

January 8, the 100th birthday of the party, would begin with an inter-denominational church service, followed by the centennial address by Zuma.

Afterwards, the history of the ANC would be interpreted in song and dance performance.

Mbete said the ANC were calling on South Africans to join in the celebrations.

“We would like to call on all South Africans from diverse backgrounds to join in the mood, pride, accomplishment and celebrations. To us... the 100 years of the ANC is the heritage of the people of South Africa,” she said.

“The importance and historic significance of this movement centenary celebrations has been acknowledged by none other than the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon.”

Mbete said the ANC was attempting to mobilise over 100 000 people to participate in the celebrations.

“Amongst those invited in the country are the leaders of the tripartite alliance, eminent business people, the religious leaders, traditional leaders and sporting personalities,” she said.

“We are also encouraged by the positive response we are receiving from leaders of the opposition parties in the country, some of whom have confirmed their attendance.” - Sapa