ANC ready for 105th anniversary celebrations
The ANC is gearing up for its anniversary celebrations, with thousands of members expected to flock to Soweto this weekend.
The ruling party's Head of Mobilisation, Fikile Mbalula, addressed the media ahead of the gathering, highlighting the importance of the January 8 statement that will be delivered by President Jacob Zuma.
Mbalula says the statement is a political statement from the NEC, and not a statement by President Zuma as head of government.
"It is a statement that calls on all of us - on the current tasks that are urgent and at the same time what is expected from us a supporters and cadres of the ANC - what we need to do to renew our vows to our people and to the communities," says Mbalula.
The ANC's anniversary rally has already been marred by controversy following a decision by the Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB) - which has since been reversed - to relax the liquor laws in Gauteng for this weekend.
The party has distanced itself from the GLB's decision.
Mbalula says it should not have been done in the ANC's name.
"We have advised our colleagues in government to act cautiously, particularly those who are deployed, to veer away from anything that seeks to bring the name of the ANC into disrepute. The ANC is a movement that cares," says Mbalula.