Cape Town, 11 January 2025 - At the invitation of the ANC the Chief Executive Officer of the APRM Continental Secretariat, Her Excellency Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre, attended the 113th Anniversary Celebration of the African National Congress (ANC) in the Cape Town township of Khayelitsha, South Africa. This annual event, commemorating the ANC’s rich history and significant contributions in the fight for a free South Africa, is a significant moment in the organization’s calendar, symbolizing the enduring resilience and unity of Africans, particularly Black Africans.
Popularly referred to as the January 8th Statement, marking the ANC’s establishment on 8 January 1912 (originally known as the South African Native National Convention until 1923), the celebration highlights the movement’s remarkable journey in combating apartheid and building a united, non-racial, non-sexist, and democratic society.
Speaking at the event, ANC President and President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Mr. Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, reflected on the historical significance of holding the event at Khayelitsha, Cape Town, stating:
“It was on these southern shores that our painful history of colonial conquest, dispossession, oppression, and exploitation started, driven by forces that sought to exploit our resources, both human and material.”
President Ramaphosa also addressed the ANC’s electoral decline in the May 2024 national elections, acknowledging it as a setback resulting from systemic deficiencies over the years. He urged the organization’s leaders and members to embrace the ANC-led Government of National Unity (GNU) as a tactical response while, working towards regaining public trust and electoral strength. Among the Six Priority Actions and Tasks outlined in his January 8th Statement was a renewed commitment to “Building a better Africa and a better World,” underscoring the ANC’s dedication to principles of international solidarity, human rights, anti-colonialism, anti-imperialism, and Pan-Africanism.
The celebration showcased the ANC’s vibrant political culture through spirited songs and dance, colourful fashion, religious and spiritual diversity, and a legacy of inclusivity reflected in the conduct of the event.
The APRM acknowledges the ANC’s unwavering commitment to Africa’s development, particularly through its active support for the African Union and its dedication to advancing Agenda 2063, which envisions a peaceful, united, and prosperous Africa. The APRM also anticipates the ANC’s participation in its Pan-African Intra-Party Dialogue Programme, which fosters collaboration among political parties across the continent.
On behalf of the APRM, Ambassador Rose-Quatre extended her heartfelt congratulations to the ANC leadership and the people of South Africa, celebrating their remarkable spirit of resilience during long years of struggle. She emphasized the importance of the January 8th commemoration as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of unity and shared purpose.
