On Tuesday, 8th of January 2013, the African National Congress celebrated its 101 years anniversary of its existence. In this context, we send our congratulatory messages to members and supporters of our glorious movement for this greatest achievement. The ANC continues to inspire the confidence of the great majority of our people whose aspiration for a better life remains at the heart of the movement`s policies and programmes. The movement is indeed proud of its achievements in the first 100 years of its existence, and is confident of the future as we complete the first year of the second centenary.

The ANC will this year hold its main anniversary celebrations in KwaZulu-Natal at Kings Park Stadium in Ethekwini Region on Saturday, 12 January 2013. These celebrations mark the start of the calendar year of activities of the ANC, with President Jacob Zuma delivering the annual January 8th Statement on behalf of the new National Executive Committee (NEC) elected at the recent 53rd ANC National Conference in Mangaung.

We are expecting full capacity and are ready to accommodate overflow in the adjacent grounds. The main event is expected to be attended by people from around the country and in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

The event will be attended by ANC members and supporters from accross the country from all sectors of society including business, religious and traditional fraternity, the academia and alliance structures.

Transport has been arranged to ferry thousands of supporters to the stadium from in an around the province of KwaZulu-Natal and from other provinces. A total of 1120 buses, 670 minibus taxis and eight (8) trains with the capacity to carry 16 000 passengers have been arranged. The rest of those expected will use other means of transport such as private cars or walk to the venue.

The programme will start at 09:00 with musical performances and the formal programme will begin at 10:00 with messages of support from alliance partners (SANCO, COSATU and SACP). President Jacob Zuma will present the January 8th Statement at 11h00, to be broadcast live on SABC television.

There will also be the cutting of the 101 birthday cake by the President, ANC NEC members, and leaders of ANC Leagues and the Alliance. The ANC`s 101 birthday will not be eaten by those present, but will be donated to orphanages, old age homes and hospices in and around eThekwini.

The programme will be concluded with the presentation of awards to ANC structures and leagues which have performed well in the year 2012.

Saturday`s main January 8th event is being preceded by a number of activities, which include mass mobilisation programme led by the national officials, NEC members and ANC provincial leadership. These activities, which serve as the build-up to the Saturday festivities, include anniversary lectures on the stalwards of the ANC in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, door-to-door visits and mini ralies in different regions of the province.

These activities will continue throughout the week until Friday, 11 January 2013.

This week started with the official conclusion of the Centernary Celebrations, a musical concert which took place on Sunday, 6th of January 2013 at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban. The concert was addressed by the President of the ANC, Comrade Jacob Zuma.

The ANC National Executive Committe will hold its first meeting since it was elected in Mangaung on Friday, 11th of January 2012, in Durban to consider the January 8th statement.

The ANC will further host a fundraising Gala Dinner in the evening on Friday, 11th of January 2013 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. The dinner is expected to be attended by invited guests from the ANC, business and civil society. President Jacob Zuma will deliver the main address.

We are pleased with our state of readiness around Saturday`s main event, particularly the levels of excitement and expectation amongst the residents of these province around the movement`s 101 birthday celebrations. We can now confidently declare that the ANC is ready to host the 101 years anniversary celebrations.

Issued by:

Gwede Mantashe

Secretary General

Enquiries:

Keith Khoza 0828239672

Senzo Mkhize 0783004107