Wednesday marks 113 years since formation of ANC as a liberation movement

CAPE TOWN - Wednesday marks 113 years since the African National Congress (ANC) was established and became known as Africa's first liberation movement.  

The party was formed in 1912 in Bloemfontein, primarily to fight the oppression of black people by the apartheid regime.  

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The party is celebrating its anniversary in Cape Town - a city it lost to the Democratic Alliance (DA) nearly two decades ago.

Party leader Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to lead a rally in Khayelitsha on Saturday.

The celebrations will kick off on Wednesday morning at Robben Island, where some of the party’s freedom fighters were imprisoned during the height of apartheid.  

ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile said in marking its anniversary, the party must focus on addressing the needs of South Africans.  

“The president will talk about the challenges that people face. We are going to work with them to resolve issues of unemployment and poverty.”  

Ramaphosa will deliver the January 8 speech at Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha on Saturday.  

The speech is expected to reflect on the ANC's electoral challenges and outline the party's plans for the year ahead.