ANC January 8 statement: Renewal and revival expected to be at heart of Ramaphosa's speech
Speaking at a business dinner on Friday night, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa said he believes people still have love for the party and it should spur its leadership to enhance its renewal programme.
ANC president Cyril Pamaphosa addressed supporters during an event to mark 100 days of the GNU at the party's Luthuli House headquarters in Johannesburg on 14 October 2024. Picture: @MYANC/X
CAPE TOWN - Renewal and revival are expected to be the mantra on Saturday when President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the African National Congress (ANC)’s January 8 statement.
It’s been the turn of Western Cape to host the week-long anniversary event, a province that slipped from the ANC’s grip 15 years ago.
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Speaking at a business dinner on Friday night, Ramaphosa said he believes people still have love for the party and it should spur its leadership to enhance its renewal programme.
This will be the first January 8 statement delivered since the Government of National Unity (GNU) was formed.
Ramaphosa will have to carefully balance his own party’s vision with that of political opponents who have now become partners.
However, the party’s first deputy secretary general, Nomvula Mokonyane, said the heart of the message will remain unchanged.
“Most importantly, a statement that is going to reflect on what is contained in our manifesto - the issues of the economy, the issues of unemployment, the issues of peace and stability, the issues of inclusive growth, the issues of solidarity.”
Mokonyane said she believes the ANC’s preoccupation with its own structures rather than the relations with the various sectors of society has led to the consistent decline in support for the party in this province.
MESSAGE OF UNITY
The ANC in the Western Cape said it expects Ramaphosa to deliver a strong message of unity when he delivers the party’s January 8 statement.
The provincial executive said it believes it’s turning the tide on a disillusioned voter base in the province.
Khayelitsha is its stronghold constituency, but during the 2024 general elections many of the residents stayed away.
The ANC’s opposition leader in the provincial legislature Khalid Sayed said this week’s campaign had been focused on listening rather than preaching to voters.
Sayed said he hopes the president can once again rally people behind the party.
“We need the president to come out with a strong message of unity, speak to some of the divisions that are there, but to indicate that we are united, to give a clear programme of action for the year, to speak to the inequalities. What is the plan to deal with the inequalities.”
The ANC in the Western Cape said it wants to reach out to its partners across the political divide to build a more integrated society.