The African National Congress marked 114 years since its founding in 1912, a historic milestone.
The ANC’s 114th anniversary celebrations come as the party tackles its most serious challenge since taking power in 1994, having lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in the 2024 general elections and now being forced to govern through coalition arrangements at both national and provincial levels.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the party’s statement at Moruleng Stadium in North West.
“For more than a century, the ANC has stood as a trusted home of the people, born from the collective will of Africans to resist oppression, reclaim dignity, and build a just society,” he said.
“At 114, the ANC reflects honestly on its journey. We acknowledge our victories and our shortcomings. We recognise the pain and frustrations experienced by many of our people, particularly in relation to unemployment, inequality, and weaknesses in local government delivery. These realities weigh heavily on our conscience as a movement dedicated to serving. Yet this anniversary is not a moment of despair; it is a moment of renewal and hope, a collective resolve and renewed determination to continue with our vision of a better life.”
He warned against “increasingly strident attacks” on constitutional values, the rule of law and the rule-based international order.
While the majority of South Africans embrace values of freedom, equality, non-racialism, non-sexism and human solidarity, there is an increasingly vocal minority in our country that has found a common cause with this global attack and actively propagates falsehoods.
“Across the world, the values of democracy, equality, equity, inclusion, human solidarity, gender equality and social justice are under attack,” Ramaphosa said.
He blamed “forces” of trying to establish regime changes in South Africa.
“Their aim is to undermine South Africa’s constitutional democracy, non-racialism, non-sexism and the transformation project,” he said.
“They employ multifaceted tactics, including the propagation of blatant falsehoods such as claims of ‘white genocide’, to attract sympathy and solidarity from global racist movements and individuals.”
This path is not new, built on the achievements of the past year, where we declared to enhance our effectiveness in furtherance of the vision of the Freedom Charter. We enter this new phase guided by the understanding that renewal is not a slogan but an action that requires decisive leadership, ethical governance, organisational discipline, and a relentless focus on improving the daily lives of South Africans. The ANC is intensifying its efforts to rebuild capable local government, accelerate inclusive economic growth, create jobs, and restore public trust in state institutions. And most importantly, to re-instil society’s trust and confidence in the ANC as a leader capable of advancing the National Democratic Revolution (NDR).
He encouraged signs of renewal taking root across the movement. Organisational rebuilding is underway, and accountability mechanisms are being strengthened. Cadreship is being reaffirmed. Most importantly, the ANC is returning to the people, not just in words, but in action, grounding itself once more in the lived realities of communities.
As we celebrate 114 years, we do so not as a perfect organisation, but as a living movement, self-correcting, resilient, and deeply rooted in the aspirations of the masses. The ANC remains the only political home capable of uniting South Africans across class, race, gender, and generation in pursuit of a shared future.
This anniversary is a reminder that the ANC was never built for comfort, but for struggle; never for power, but for service. The road ahead demands courage, honesty, and collective effort. We approach it with confidence, knowing that when the ANC reconnects with its mission and its people, it rises. The African National Congress is rising, not away from its past, but towards its purpose. We celebrate this feat with renewed determination, with specific focus on strengthening local government as a strategic centre of power, and a catalytic vehicle for a better life for all. We reaffirm the sovereignty of our country, our role in the community of nations committed to peace, stability, solidary, a global order and a changing world founded on progressive internationalism and inclusive multilateralism, and a world devoid of conflict.
“We as a people refused to be divided; we refuse to be bullied by anyone, whether here or around the world. We are united in our will and our resolve.”
He pledged that the government will invest R54 billion to repair water and electricity infrastructure in areas such as Buffalo City, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Tshwane and Nelson Mandela Bay.
