By Teboho Mokobe
Founded in 1912, the ANC has faced numerous challenges, enduring turbulent periods of both internal and external pressures. The 1960s, for instance, marked a particularly difficult era, with much of the leadership either imprisoned or in exile, yet the party's commitment to the ideals of freedom and justice endured.
A defining moment in ANC history came in 1972, on its 60th anniversary, when it concretised the existence of its nation and gave it form and character, Oliver Tambo delivered the influential January 8 Statement. He called for the intensification of the struggle for liberation, particularly urging Umkhonto we Sizwe combatants to continue their fight. This annual statement would become a critical part of the ANC’s tradition, with Tambo reading it on behalf of the party's National Executive Committee each year.
The 1980s witnessed a more militant ANC, with the 1986 statement calling for a boycott of apartheid's economic structures and mobilising global support to render the apartheid system unworkable. This global pressure, combined with local resistance, led to increasing isolation for South Africa and intensified calls for the release of political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela.
By the early 1990s, the ANC's victory seemed imminent, culminating in the 1990 release of Mandela, the return of exiles, and the unbanning of political organisations. In 1991, under Mandela’s leadership, the ANC declared itself “ready to govern.” This was realised in 1994, when the ANC took office, marking the start of a new democratic South Africa.
The tradition of the annual January 8 Statement continues under current President Cyril Ramaphosa, who will deliver his speech at the 2025 event in Cape Town. Despite recent electoral setbacks, Ramaphosa remains steadfast, asserting that the ANC is not in decline but is instead revitalising its core mission of serving the people.
As the party looks to the future, the annual statement remains a powerful symbol of the ANC's enduring commitment to its revolutionary ideals and its continuing role in shaping SA's destiny.
--ChannelAfrica--
