By Simon Nare
The ANC is gearing up for its January 8 Statement and 114th anniversary celebrations in the North West, where President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to use Saturday’s address to rally supporters and set out the party’s programme of action and election strategy.
Ramaphosa will deliver the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) statement at Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg, setting out the party’s priority goals for the year, with a strong focus on how it plans to reclaim lost public support ahead of the upcoming Local Government Elections.
The January 8 celebrations come at a critical moment for the once-dominant governing party, widely seen as a period of introspection and renewal as it attempts to redefine itself and reconnect with voters.
During the 2024 general elections, the ANC — the party that led the struggle against apartheid — won just 159 seats in the 400-member National Assembly, securing just over 40% of the vote, a sharp decline from the 57.5% it achieved in the 2019 election.
In the build-up to the main event, ANC leaders this week embarked on door-to-door campaigns and community engagements across the province, interacting directly with residents on issues such as poor road infrastructure, water shortages, unemployment and service delivery failures.
These concerns are expected to feature prominently in Ramaphosa’s address.
However, reports from the ground suggest a mixed reception for the party’s leadership, with visits ranging from engagements with traditional leaders to outreach at taxi ranks and shisanyamas.
While some communities have welcomed the interaction, others have expressed frustration, leading to the cancellation of certain activities amid fears of hostility.
Despite this, ANC leadership has continued criss-crossing the province to mobilise supporters for Saturday’s gathering, which is expected to unveil the party’s electoral roadmap.
The January 8 Statement marks the official start of the political calendar and traditionally sets the tone ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in February.
Ramaphosa is expected to address a wide range of issues, including economic recovery, internal unity, the fight against factionalism and corruption, as well as South Africa’s strained relations with the United States.
Key policy areas such as education, health, crime and rural development are also expected to receive special emphasis.
The president is further expected to touch on preparations for the commemoration of the historic 1956 Women’s March to the Union Buildings, an event that remains central to National Women’s Day celebrations and the country’s liberation history.
The 70th commemoration of the historic women’s anti-pass law march to the Union Buildings will take place on Saturday, 9 August 2026.
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