Anticipation ahead of Zuma’s January 8 speech

There is a great anticipation of the content of President Jacob Zuma’s speech ahead of the African National Congress’ (ANC) birthday rally on Saturday.

The continent’s oldest liberation movement is celebrating 104 years.

President Zuma will deliver the January 8 statement at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium outside Rustenburg in the North-West.

Over 120 00 people are expected to attend.

ANC Deputy Secretary General, Jessie Duarte, says: “The whole idea about January 8 is that the ANC provides its membership and the country with an analysis of the year before and gives tasks for the following year. This year 2016 is the local government elections year, so it’s likely that the content of the President’s message will be about local government issues.”

Duarte says: “The message from the leadership is unity. We will not tolerate divisive songs, or allow anyone to enter the stadium with divisive t-shirts. If you come with another t-shirt, you and your t-shirt will leave.”

We’ve been through the worst and we’ve survived…

Meanwhile, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa says: “The economy is not in a good shape. We want to see greater growth. The high levels of unemployment and poverty are not what can please any government in the world.”

“This most enjoyable thing about being a politician is being able to meet ordinary people, to see some of their challenges they face and seeing young people very hopeful about getting jobs and their education.”

The Congress of South Africa Trade Union President, Sdumo Dlamini, says: “We have over the years been providing a message of support to our alliance partner the ANC. It’s very critical for the ANC to be seen to be embracing its alliance partners because of the current challenges moments the ANC is facing.”

The party’s Head of Elections and Campaigns, Nomvula Mokonyane says, “Bring anything that you can use to carry water. We’ve organised water tanks and please take precautionary measures.”

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