#ANC109: ‘ANC needs to rid itself of corruption tag’- Ramaphosa

The African National Congress has a lot of work to do to rid itself of the corruption tag it has garnered.

This was the message by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who spoke in his capacity as ANC President, during the ruling party’s 109th anniversary.

While important progress has been made in the renewal and rebuilding of the ANC since the 54th National Conference, there is still much to be done.

“The organisation has been weakened by corruption, resistance to renewal and controversies involving ANC leaders,” he said.

“These problems have widened the social distance between the ANC and the people. At the same time, there is a danger that internal conflicts can consume us, and detract from the very real work we need to do to unite and transform our society.”

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Due to government regulations on gatherings, this year’s ANC anniversary was held virtually.

It was a far cry from the full capacity stadium rallies and the boozy, lavish after parties that have come to define the ANC’s birthday celebration.

The ANC was formed on the 8th of January 1912 in Bloemfontein by John Langalibalele Dube. It remains Africa’s oldest liberation party.

After the Sharpeville massacre in 1960, where white Apartheid police shot and killed 69 black protesters during a march, the ANC was banned by the National Party and designated as a terrorist organisation.

It wasn’t until 1990 that the ANC was unbanned and by the last Apartheid SA President, Frederik W de Klerk.

Since the first democratic elections were held in 1994, the ANC has won all presidential elections.

While notable strides have been made to improve the lives of previously disadvantaged black people, Ramaphosa acknowledged that the ruling party has also fallen short on many sectors.

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“This is due both to the huge disparities of our past and to ongoing weaknesses in governance, capacity and financial management within the different spheres of government,” said Ramaphosa.

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