ANC turns 113 - but 'nothing to toast'

JANUARY 8 STATEMENT: 'HOW THEY'LL RETURN TO POWER

- Itumeleng Mafisa

As the year begins and the ANC prepares to celebrate its 113th birthday on 8 January, a political analyst says there is nothing to celebrate.

The ANC was founded on 8 January, 1912 in a church in Bloemfontein. It is considered the oldest liberation movement on the continent and uses its birthday to deliver a big statement at the beginning of each year to communicate its priorities.

The occasion is normally celebrated over several days in January, with tributes to the party's fallen heroes, music and entertainment, and a huge rally at the stadium.

However, this year the party will celebrate the occasion at Khayelitsha Stadium in Cape Town. It has a seating capacity of only 2000.