The African National Congress (ANC), Africa’s oldest liberation movement, today marks its 114th anniversary against the backdrop of a significantly altered political landscape in South Africa.
ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Rustenburg, North West, where the party’s official January 8 anniversary celebrations are set to take place this weekend. The programme forms part of the ANC’s annual tradition of reflecting on its historical legacy while outlining its priorities for the year ahead.
This year’s celebrations come at a pivotal moment for the governing party. Following the 2024 general election, the ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since the advent of democracy in 1994. Despite this setback, the party remains the single largest political formation in Parliament, having secured just over 40% of the national vote.
The ANC is now governing through a coalition arrangement with opposition parties, a shift that has introduced new political dynamics and heightened public scrutiny. The party continues to face criticism over persistent service delivery challenges, internal governance issues, and longstanding allegations of corruption.
Speaking ahead of the anniversary events, ANC Treasurer-General Dr Gwen Ramokgopa said the 114th celebrations would be used as a moment of honest reflection. She said the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has undertaken a thorough assessment of both its achievements and shortcomings.
“We have reflected as the NEC and we are ready to share with the nation our reflections — the successes, which are many, as well as the challenges that we are decisively dealing with,” Ramokgopa said. She added that the ANC would also address the broader political and socio-economic environment in which it now operates.
Ramokgopa accompanied President Ramaphosa to a fundraising golf day in Sun City on Wednesday, one of several activities linked to the build-up to the January 8 rally.
As Ramaphosa mobilises supporters ahead of Saturday’s main event, expectations are high that his address will signal how the ANC intends to reposition itself, rebuild public trust, and navigate the complexities of coalition governance while remaining true to its founding values.
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