ANC 113th anniversary: More than 20,000 expected to fill up Khayelitsha's Mandela Park Stadium

CAPE TOWN - More than 20, 000 people are expected to fill up the Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha for the African National Congress (ANC)’s 113th birthday rally on Saturday. 

The January 8 statement, typically delivered by the party’s president is an annual gathering.

By early Saturday morning, ANC supporters attending the gathering had started trickling in, with many more set to arrive.

Driving into Khayelitsha on Saturday morning, one was greeted by ANC flags on street poles across the township and residents draped in the party’s colours.

Police and other law enforcement authorities were also present in and around the Mandela Park stadium vicinity.

Outside the venue, local street vendors had started putting up stalls, seemingly excited about the business they’d get from selling to ANC supporters on Saturday.

Inside the stadium, the stage was set with a sound check underway.

The ANC put up three large tents at the stadium to seat thousands of party supporters. 

There was also a massive overflow section on a field expected to hold more than 10,000 people according to the ANC’s projections.

ANC STILL ALIVE

Some ANC supporters attending the party’s birthday rally said they were there to prove the organisation was still alive in the Western Cape. 

The party’s birthday rally in Khayelitsha is one of its efforts to revive its support in the Western Cape ahead of the local government elections in 2026.

The ANC lost the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape to the Democratic Alliance (DA) nearly two decades ago.

This resident, however, believes the ANC still has a future in this province.

“Yes, the ANC is still alive as you can see with the people here but the challenge is the ANC doesn’t show the work. I think there will be a change because as you can see, there are lots of people here.”

ANC supporter Willie Mahlangu, who travelled from Pretoria to Khayelitsha for the rally, also said he remains confident in the party. 
 
"Our confidence is still within the ANC. Our confidence is in the government of the ANC. We are here and saying we don't see any other organisation that is going to lead us anywhere."
 
He believes the ANC is regaining public trust, and that this will be reflected in the next election.

READ: January 8 statement: What to expect as the ANC marks its 113th anniversary

In his speech, Ramaphosa is expected to outline the party’s plans for the year ahead.

He is also expected to reflect on the ANC’s electoral setbacks and explain why it opted for what it calls an inclusive government of national unity.