The African National Congress (ANC), which turned 95 years old on Monday, will celebrate its anniversary with a mass rally in Witbank, Mpumalanga, on Saturday.
The party said in a statement it was expecting 20 000 people to attend the rally, with President Thabo Mbeki being the main speaker for the day.
He will present the annual January 8 statement by the ANC national executive committee, which outlines the plans and programmes for the party in the year ahead.
The winners of the ANC’s annual achievement awards will be announced at the rally. There will also be an extensive cultural programme and performances by Mafikizolo and Ntando.
On January 8 1912, the South African Native National Congress was formed for Africans to defend their rights and fight for freedom.
Reverend John Dube was elected president and Sol Plaatje became secretary. In 1923 the organisation changed its name to the African National Congress. — Sapa