No booing or ill discipline would be allowed at the ANC’s 98th anniversary celebrations in Kimberley this weekend, organiser Fikile Mbalula warned on Friday.
“If anybody is constipated and wants a place to release it, it is not the place. If you have, we have pills for that,” Mbalula, who is also the deputy police minister, told journalists in Kimberley.
The African National Congress turned 98 on Friday but the party’s main celebrations were scheduled to take place on Saturday at the GWK Stadium where President Jacob Zuma was expected to make the party’s annual January statement.
Mbalula said the ANC and its alliance partners were disciplined.
“We do not expect any funny reaction at this particular event. Anybody acting outside that is challenging the integrity of the event and we would turn on them with the ferocity of a cornered bull.”
This follows speculation of retaliation after a public spat between the ANC Youth League and the South African Communist Party when youth leader Julius Malema was booed at an SACP congress late last year.
Mbalula said Saturday’s event was a “celebration” and not a place to come and release a “babalaas [hangover] or anything”.
Zuma met with Roodepan residents on Friday during a walk-about in the township.
South African Communist Party general secretary Blade Nzimande, Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) leaders were expected to offer messages of support, as was the ANC Women’s League, ANC Youth League and the newly-formed Veterans’ League.
“It is going to be massive event,” said Mbalula.
The ANC received birthday wishes from all corners on Friday.
The ANCYL said it hoped the ruling party would have an “inspirational” day.
“The ANCYL celebrates the fact that our gallant, revolutionary and disciplined youth league has been part of the ANC for the 65 years of the ANC’s 98 years of existence,” the ANCYL said in a statement.
Cosatu also “saluted” the party.
Meanwhile, ANC bigwigs were arriving in Kimberley ahead of the celebrations.
Petrol attendants at a Total garage swarmed around Malema’s white Land Rover, but shoppers at a nearby mall seemed indifferent about the ruling party’s birthday bash.
“They should rather spend the money of the party on the sick and the poor. Why must they spend money partying every year, they should do it once every five years,” said Tshepiso Kgosieng.
Kagisa Aries, proudly wearing his Congress of the People T-shirt, said the ANC were “giving people headaches” with their party preparations.
Yolanda Lesch said her husband, who works with the police explosives unit, said the party had resulted in local police working overtime in preparation for the event.
“We are all excited … but I’m hardly going to see my husband this weekend,” she said.
Local businesses were happy about the droves of visitors entering the town, saying it had a positive effect on their revenues. – Sapa