By Carien du Plessis
Political Bureau
The ANC's official birthday on January 8 could be declared a public holiday if some within the ruling party have their way.
The Cape Times has learnt that ANC members in the Eastern Cape have called for the issue to be raised during the party's national general council meeting to be held in KwaZulu-Natal in September.
Eastern Cape ANC secretary Oscar Mabunyane yesterday confirmed that the matter was raised at the province's general council last month.
'... also be seen as the birth of the new South Africa'
He said the issue was first up for debate during the early 1990s when the transition to a democratic government was discussed, but the ANC's demand had to make way for the celebration of other public holidays like Human Rights Day.
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Some within the party, however, now felt it was time to revive that debate.
"January 8 is not just the birth of the ANC, but it can also be seen as the birth of the new South Africa," Mabunyane said.
"January 8 should be a date to be celebrated by all South Africans, black and white. If there was not an epoch-making event like the birth of the ANC, then we don't know what would have happened to this country. We would not have had events like the soccer World Cup," he said.
These calls come in the run-up to the ANC's centenary celebration in 2012.
An ANC Youth League leader said these celebrations should be "the largest the continent has ever seen", referring to the fact that the party was the oldest liberation organisation in Africa.
Not all in the party, however, think the call for a national holiday is a good idea.
One of the national executive committee members said there were already enough public holidays on the calendar. ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu said the national executive committee had not discussed it, but if the matter were to be brought up by ANC structures it would be considered.
"We would also have to look at whether it would be good for the economy, for business and for people in general," Mthembu said.
The ANC's birthday has in the past few years been celebrated by a rally on the Saturday or Sunday nearest to January 8.
Currently, there are seven public holidays: Human Rights Day (March 21), Heritage Day (September 24), Women's Day (August 9), Youth Day (June 16), Reconciliation Day (December 16), Freedom Day (April 27) and Workers' Day (May 1).
There was also talk about declaring July 18 - former president Nelson Mandela's birthday - a public holiday.
The ANC on Saturday commemorated its 98th birthday by holding a rally in Kimberley, attended by 35 000 people.
Zuma said the ANC's "proud traditions" should be showcased during its centenary celebrations.
Exactly what the economy needs, another public holiday.
Political Bureau
The ANC's official birthday on January 8 could be declared a public holiday if some within the ruling party have their way.
The Cape Times has learnt that ANC members in the Eastern Cape have called for the issue to be raised during the party's national general council meeting to be held in KwaZulu-Natal in September.
Eastern Cape ANC secretary Oscar Mabunyane yesterday confirmed that the matter was raised at the province's general council last month.
'... also be seen as the birth of the new South Africa'
He said the issue was first up for debate during the early 1990s when the transition to a democratic government was discussed, but the ANC's demand had to make way for the celebration of other public holidays like Human Rights Day.
Continues Below ↓
Some within the party, however, now felt it was time to revive that debate.
"January 8 is not just the birth of the ANC, but it can also be seen as the birth of the new South Africa," Mabunyane said.
"January 8 should be a date to be celebrated by all South Africans, black and white. If there was not an epoch-making event like the birth of the ANC, then we don't know what would have happened to this country. We would not have had events like the soccer World Cup," he said.
These calls come in the run-up to the ANC's centenary celebration in 2012.
An ANC Youth League leader said these celebrations should be "the largest the continent has ever seen", referring to the fact that the party was the oldest liberation organisation in Africa.
Not all in the party, however, think the call for a national holiday is a good idea.
One of the national executive committee members said there were already enough public holidays on the calendar. ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu said the national executive committee had not discussed it, but if the matter were to be brought up by ANC structures it would be considered.
"We would also have to look at whether it would be good for the economy, for business and for people in general," Mthembu said.
The ANC's birthday has in the past few years been celebrated by a rally on the Saturday or Sunday nearest to January 8.
Currently, there are seven public holidays: Human Rights Day (March 21), Heritage Day (September 24), Women's Day (August 9), Youth Day (June 16), Reconciliation Day (December 16), Freedom Day (April 27) and Workers' Day (May 1).
There was also talk about declaring July 18 - former president Nelson Mandela's birthday - a public holiday.
The ANC on Saturday commemorated its 98th birthday by holding a rally in Kimberley, attended by 35 000 people.
Zuma said the ANC's "proud traditions" should be showcased during its centenary celebrations.
Exactly what the economy needs, another public holiday.
