STATEMENT BY THE ANC IN KWAZULU NATAL ON THE UNVEILING OF THE ANC' S PROGRAMME OF ACTION FOR THE CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS IN THE PROVINCE. DELIVERED BY DR ZWELI MKHIZE, PROVINCIAL CHAIRPERSON OF THE ANC

VENUE: JOHN LANGALIBALELE DUBE RESIDENTS (OHLANGE CHAPEL)

TIME: 10H00

On behalf of the ANC and other progressive forces we wish to start by welcoming all the members of the media to this press briefing wherein we are going to share with the Members of the Fourth Estate our detailed programme of action for the 100 year celebrations of the people's struggle against colonialism and apartheid repression. We hope that you have had a restful festive season and that the few days of the New Year have been good to you.

Members of the Media, this is an ANC year. As all of you are aware, 2012 is a momentous year, not only because all of us as a nation are celebrating 100 years against all forms of repression, but also because this is a year where all of us are involved in deep reflection about the journey we have travelled over the past century in our collective quest to build a non racial, non sexist, democratic and prosperous society which occupies pride of place in the table of other nations.

Precisely because of the pride of place he holds in the life and history of our movement, we have chosen to begin the provincial centenary celebrations in the in the home of one of the pathfinders of our liberation struggle Dr Langalibalele Dube, who was the first President of the African National Congress.

It is a historical fact that, a hundred years ago, it was women and men from corners of our land, including what is known today as KwaZulu-Natal and Inanda, who gathered in Mangaung to form the ANC. Dr Langalibalele was among those pioneers and he became the first president of our illustrious movement.

Our presence here today, is not only a gesture of respect to his family, but being here in these environs in which one of the giants of our liberation struggle once lived and worked in pursuit of a dream to free his people from the yoke of oppression, imbues us with a sense of rejuvenation and renewal in a year in which we are celebrating a momentous milestone in our country. Today we have come here to re-enact the journey that President Dube took, a century ago, as we, ourselves, head for Mangaung to attend the January 8 Celebrations.

As all of your are aware, Dr Dube is not only one of the most revered icons of our movement but his principles, teachings and values continue to be the guiding light of our movement long after he joined a glittering array of other icons.

But more importantly, the message that we want to drive today as we unveil our programme of action for the centenary celebrations is to call on all of our people in the province irrespective of colour, class, political persuasions and religious preferences to join all of us in celebrating this milestone. The history of the struggle of our people is intertwined with the history of the ANC. Therefore, these celebrations cannot be the ANC's celebrations alone but these are celebrations for all of us, both those who are late and the living, who participated and continue to participate in the struggle to build a society characterized by peace, prosperity, equality and stability.

While the ANC occupied the vanguard role on the forward trenches of the liberation of struggle of our people, the reality is that the freedom was brought about by a collective swell of all the progressive forces working in concert to achieve one goal.

Therefore, the ANC does not only belong to its members but remains a symbol of our collective heritage. It is our contention therefore that as we begin the year to celebrate the ANC centenary, we should always be alive to the reality that there are those in our society who will try to reduce the celebrations to a party political event instead of what these celebrations are: the celebration of the people's struggle. It is because of this reason that the theme of the centenary celebrations is: Unity in Diversity.

This embodies the ANC's mission to unite all the people of this country and create a country which can be a shining star in the firmament of other nations. We hope that Members of the Media will also assist to drive home this message.

KZN TO DESCEND ON MANGAUNG

We have prepared transport for our members to go to Mangaung and be part of the historic celebrations We urge more members to make own arrangements to get there It is the most important event in the country probably second only to the first national democratic elections in 1994. 

We urge them to descend on Mangaung in the same manner our forebears did in 1912. Since they met on that day South Africa has never been the same Thanks to that historic meeting that we today enjoy our freedom and democracy

We wish to remind all ANC members supporters and well wishers that this celebration as solemn as it is joyous,it is a pilgrimage for us to re-unite with the spirit of the founding fathers of our movement. In this regard a high level of respect and discipline is demanded by this occasion to ensure that the event proceeds in a dignified manner that befits the integrity of the leaders whose dedication maturity in leadership and positive contribution we commemorate.

We trust that all members will behave in a manner that befits the honour that Dr John Dube OR Tambo. Rev Mahabane Makgatho Nelson Mandela and all ANC leaders deserve for the contribution they made to bring our movement our country and our people to where we Are today It must be remembered that the ANC has been beacon of hope for whole continent which explains why leaders from whole continent will grace this event with their presence. 

It is important for ANC members and leaders to be aware that the Centenary celebration must herald hope for the next 100 years to come --not only for the ANC or South Africa but for the entire continent 

We urge all members to observe discipline and give the event the dignity it deserves 

KZN ANC will roll out its programs in celebration of this milestone.

I thank you

Statement issued by Ndabezinhle Sibiya (Mr), Spokesperson: Dr Zweli Mkhize, January 4 2011

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