Poor planning behind ANC's decision to use Khayelitsha venue for Jan 8 statement - Hill-Lewis
On Thursday, the City of Cape Town’s mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, disputed the ANC's version of why it would be hosting the event at a sports facility in Khayelitsha.
Mandela Park in Khayelitsha, Cape Town will be the host venue for the ANC's 113th-anniversary celebrations on January 8 2025. Picture: Lindsay Dentlinger/EWN
CAPE TOWN - The African National Congress (ANC)'s choice of venue to deliver its January 8th statement in Cape Town on Saturday has become a tit-for-tat spat.
On Thursday, the city’s mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, disputed the ANC's version of why it would be hosting the event at a sports facility in Khayelitsha.
He said that poor planning and not a desire to reconnect with the area's residents had resulted in the final choice.
"We didn't have a first and second choice. We took a deliberate decision as part of the rebuilding of the ANC that we need to reconnect with our people."
Mbalula says the party has nothing to prove by filling up stadiums for this event. He says this sports field can hold 22 000 people, and it will be filled to capacity. LD pic.twitter.com/P5Yim4Z879
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) January 6, 2025
That was ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula during a site visit to Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha on Monday.
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Deputy President Paul Mashatile has this week also accused the Democratic Alliance (DA)-led city of neglecting poor communities in the townships.
It's pushed Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis to call out the party on social media.
He said that the ANC only approached the city in November for a venue and was still seeking his intervention in early December.
"They can be transparent about their politics, but they musn't lie, they must not have a lack of integrity and if they do display a lack of integrity we will respond publicly, and I've done so and will do so."
Hill-Lewis said that the ANC had initially wanted to hire the Cape Town Stadium where it hosted the last birthday celebration in the Western Cape but it was already booked for an international rugby fixture.
Meanwhile, the Athlone Stadium, a second option, will be hosting the Cape minstrels.