ANC supporters confident party will regain lost ground

Some ANC supporters attending the party's birthday celebrations say that they are confident the organisation will regain lost ground in the upcoming municipal elections.

The ANC is marking 114 years since its formation with a rally at the Moruleng stadium, just outside Rustenburg in the North West, on Saturday.

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Close to 30,000 people are expected to attend, with party president Cyril Ramaphosa scheduled to address supporters at midday.

Several ANC supporters at the stadium have also expressed confidence that the party remains the preferred choice for the majority of voters.

The ANC has faced significant challenges in the past two municipal elections, losing its majority in several city councils across the country.

Despite the decline in electoral support, ANC supporter Joice Mphadi, who travelled from Limpopo for the event, insists the party remains the powerhouse.

"I am 100% sure that the ANC will recover. It freed us from apartheid bondage. It will recover. That’s just a fact," said Mphadi.

Another ANC supporter, Joice Mavundadavhi, said the party isn’t perfect but has done a lot over the past three decades.

"The ANC has given us electricity. It built homes for us. There’s plenty of evidence to prove the ANC government is working," said Mavundadavhi.

The local government elections are expected to be held between November this year and January 2027.

ANC supporters arriving in large numbers

Dozens of buses have been seen dropping off ANC supporters who have travelled from across the country to join the birthday celebrations.

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In a province riddled by poor service delivery, ranging from large potholes to water supply challenges, ANC supporters are arriving in large numbers regardless.

The stadium is painted green, black, and gold, the bright ANC colours that decorate the party’s regalia.

The gathering also presents a major business opportunity for vendors, who have set up stalls outside the stadium selling products ranging from ANC merchandise to food and drinks.