ANC birthday party to cost R100m
2011-11-08 14:25
Johannesburg - The ANC's centenary birthday celebrations will cost more than R100m, the party said on Tuesday.
"It will not cost less than R100m, it is costly," ANC national chairperson Baleka Mbete told reporters in Johannesburg.
"It is not cheap but we believe... it is worth it. Future and younger generations need to know where we come from."
The African National Congress was gathering archives and information about its history from around the world to be housed in one place.
"Some of the work is just priceless," Mbete said.
"Friends" of the ANC were coming forward and helping with funding.
About 120 000 people were expected to attend the main 100 year birthday celebration in Mangaung in the Free State in January next year.
60 days away
"We are now, as of today, 60 days away from the anticipated January 8 celebration to commemorate the birth of the oldest and surviving liberation movement in the continent."
Mbete said the ANC had been preparing for the celebrations for the past two years. The main bash would start on January 6 and go on until January 8 2012.
It would start in Waaihoek, in the Free State, which was the founding place of the ANC 100 years ago, Mbete said.
The weekend would include an interfaith night vigil, an awards ceremony, a traditional cleansing and restoration ceremony, a presidential centennial gala and then the main celebration at the Mangaung rugby stadium.
Guests
ANC president Jacob Zuma was expected to deliver the centennial address at the stadium on January 8. Many international guests were also expected to attend.
"[They] will be given the opportunity to speak about their relationship with the ANC," said Mbete.
A number of African heads of state were coming, but Mbete said she could not give any more details.
The centenary celebrations would continue through 2012, celebrating former ANC presidents every month.
"The closure of the centenary programme will be January 8 2013," Mbete said.
*Sapa incorrectly reported that the ANC's main celebration will start in Waaihoek, in the Western Cape. Waaihoek is, in fact, in the Free State.
- SAPA