Central SA
Mangaung Metro ready to host ANC's January 8 celebrations─── LUCKY NKUYANE 07:44 Sun, 01 Jan 2023
The Bloemfontein-based Mangaung Metro Municipality in the Free State says it is well prepared to host one of the biggest political events in the country.
The ruling party - the ANC - will be celebrating its 111th birthday with its president, Cyril Ramaphosa, who is set to deliver what is known as the January 8 statement.
Thousands of party supporters are expected to flock from all corners of the country to attend the event which will be held at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Rocklands.
Municipal spokesperson, Qondile Khedama, says the event will be favourable for the tourism sector in the metro.
He also mentioned that water and all the essential services will be reconnected to be used by those who will be attending the event.
It's alleged that the multimillion-rand stadium is in bad condition. According to SABC News, the stadium does not have running water, no working toilets, and no electrical or fire safety certificates.
According to the South African History Online (SAHO) on 8 January 1912, several hundreds of members of South Africa’s educated elite met in Bloemfontein to establish a national organisation to protest against racial discrimination and to appeal for equal treatment before the law.
The group comprised of South Africa’s most prominent black citizens: professional men, businessmen, journalists, chieftains, ministers, teachers, clerks, building contractors and labour agents.
