Ntsiepe Masoetsa

African National Congress in the Free State launched its centenary celebrations programme at Seisa Ramabodu stadium in Bloemfontein today. ANC members filled the hall to listen to the provincial leader Ace Magashule who officially launched the programme. In his speech Magashule emphasized unity and discipline in the organisation. “Because with our generation you can see that we are degenerating – we no longer want to respect the culture and tradition – the constitution of the ANC. So I was saying to the members of the ANC, throughout the country that we still need to be disciplined”’ said Magashule.
Veterans of the ANC narrated their stories during the time of struggle. Magashule said the veteran members will be used to educate members about the importance of discipline. He also said as part of the celebrations, the ANC will erect statues of its leaders like Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela and others. Various buildings like hospitals and clinics will also be named after liberation icons.
Magashule emphasized the need to preserve the heritage of the ANC. He said his organisation respects the sovereignty of other countries. He said as a matter of principle, the ANC does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. This, he said, has earned the ANC an international respect.
The ANC was founded in Bloemfontein in 1912, where the centenary celebration will be held. The highlight of the celebration will be the address by the organisation’s president Jacob Zuma at Vodacom Park stadium in Bloemfontein on the 8th of January 2012.