Media Statement

Today, the African National Congress marks 114 years since its historic founding in 1912. We celebrate this milestone with humility, gratitude, and renewed determination. 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.

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 that exists to serve. 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.

Throughout our history, the ANC has risen in its most difficult moments by listening to the people, correcting its course, and recommitting itself to the values that define it: unity, selflessness, discipline, and service. From the darkest days of colonialism and apartheid to the dawn of democracy, the ANC has repeatedly demonstrated an unmatched capacity to renew itself in the interests of the people.

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).

Encouraging signs of renewal are taking root across the movement. Organisational rebuilding is underway. 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.

On the occasion of this historical moment, geopolitical shift, and a world teetering on uncertainty and events that threaten global peace and stability, the ANC calls for restraint to avoid global catastrophe. The world must rise and unite in solidarity and peace to deescalate tensions and to explore solutions to the conflict gripping the world.

The ANC, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa will on the 10th January in Moruleng outline its priorities for the year, a path of development and the future by delivering the 2026 January statement for the year.

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