Jan 8 celebrations to be held at Dr Molemela stadium as planned – ANC

Flanked by his two deputies, Nomvula Mokonyane and Maropene Ramokgopa, Mbalula on Tuesday briefed media on the party’s preparedness to host the upcoming 111th birthday celebrations.

Concerns were raised after the Mangaung acting city manager, Tebogo Motlashuping, penned a letter to the party warning of construction defects, the state of ablution facilities that had been vandalised, and the lack of running water.

“All the issues in that letter have been attended to and we have certificate from the municipality that have cleared all the issues granting the ANC permission to use the stadium. The stadium was used on the first of December for national AIDS day, [it] was used by another political party and it will now be used by the ANC,” says Mbalula.

Mbalula says it is normal for the host municipality to raise issues of disaster management control.

He rubbished any talk of the cautionary letter, which was leaked and shared on social media, being a possible attempt to sabotage the party’s plans.

“He did a good job to flag the issues, but I don’t know what went after him to the social media. Maybe somebody mischievous took the letter and circulated it. So, I can’t blame the municipal manager he is doing his job.”

Mbalula also dismissed the notion that the stadium, which has a capacity of 15 000, was chosen because the ANC can no longer pull numbers.

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Deputy secretary general Nomvula Mokonyane outlined some of the planned build-up activities.

“There will be an engagement around issues of energy security that is going to take place in Mangaung that will be facilitated by the SG and comrade Mmamoloko [Kubayi]…we know historically that the Free State is the food basket of the country; part of what we will have is an interaction led by the President with the agricultural sector to deal with issues about food security,” she added.

Mokonyane adds will take place with less glitz.

“Rather than us popping champagne, we will be releasing doves for peace and unity, and the cake that will be at the stadium will be donated to a children’s’ orphanage as part of what has become the culture of organising the January 8 event. We have minimum VIPs.”

Earlier Mbalula said he had noted public backlash over the fundraising events, which include a golf day and gala dinner with the president. He added the governing party’s financial woes are no secret and the events are legitimate efforts aimed at raising funds for the ANC.

“We don’t have money. We raise money from people who have money. Simple as that. There’s no gun on your head, you voluntarily buy a table – if it is R2 million with the president, that money goes to the ANC to fund its political activities.”

The long-standing tradition of the January 8 statement is meant to give members political direction and outline the party’s activities for the year ahead. Mbalula denies the event has been diluted to resemble a “bash” and lost its true essence, but he does concede more can be done to strengthen political content on the day.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the keynote address.