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On Tuesday, 8th of January 2013, the African National Congress celebrated
its 101 years anniversary of its existence.  In this context, we send our
congratulatory messages to members and supporters of our glorious
movement for this greatest achievement. The ANC continues to inspire the
confidence of the great majority of our people whose aspiration for a
better life remains at the heart of the movement's policies and
programmes. The movement is indeed proud of its achievements in the first
100 years of its existence, and is confident of the future as we complete
the first year of the second centenary.

The ANC will this year hold its main anniversary celebrations in
KwaZulu-Natal at Kings Park Stadium in Ethekwini Region on Saturday, 12
January 2013. These celebrations mark the start of the calendar year of
activities of the ANC, with President Jacob Zuma delivering the annual
January 8th Statement on behalf of the new National Executive Committee
(NEC) elected at the recent 53rd ANC National Conference in Mangaung.
We are expecting full capacity and are ready to accommodate overflow in
the adjacent grounds. The main event is expected to be attended by people
from around the country and in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

The event will be attended by ANC members and supporters from accross the
country from all sectors of society including business, religious and
traditional fraternity, the academia and alliance structures.

Transport has been arranged to ferry thousands of supporters to the
stadium from in an around the province of KwaZulu-Natal and from other
provinces. A total of 1120 buses, 670 minibus taxis and eight (8) trains
with the capacity to carry 16 000 passengers have been arranged. The rest
of those expected will use other means of transport such as private cars
or walk to the venue.

The programme will start at 09:00 with musical performances and the
formal programme will begin at 10:00 with messages of support from
alliance partners (SANCO, COSATU and SACP). President Jacob Zuma will
present the January 8th Statement at 11h00, to be broadcast live on SABC
television.

There will also be the cutting of the 101 birthday cake by the President,
ANC NEC members, and leaders of ANC Leagues and the Alliance. The ANC's
101 birthday will not be eaten by those present, but will be donated to
orphanages, old age homes and hospices in and around eThekwini.

The programme will be concluded with the presentation of awards to ANC
structures and leagues which have performed well in the year 2012.

Saturday's main January 8th event is being preceded by a number of
activities, which include mass mobilisation programme led by the national
officials, NEC members and ANC provincial leadership. These activities,
which serve as the build-up to the Saturday festivities, include
anniversary lectures on the stalwards of the ANC in the province of
KwaZulu-Natal, door-to-door visits and mini ralies in different regions
of the province. These activities will continue throughout the week until Friday, 11
January 2013. This week started with the official conclusion of the Centernary
Celebrations, a musical concert which took place on Sunday, 6th of
January 2013 at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in
Durban. The concert was addressed by the President of the ANC, Comrade
Jacob Zuma.

The ANC National Executive Committe will hold its first meeting since it
was elected in Mangaung on Friday, 11th of January 2012, in Durban to
consider the January 8th statement. The ANC will further host a fundraising Gala Dinner in the evening on
Friday, 11th of January 2013 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International
Convention Centre. The dinner is expected to be attended by invited
guests from the ANC, business and civil society. President Jacob Zuma
will deliver the main address.

We are pleased with our state of readiness around Saturday's main event,
particularly the levels of excitement and expectation amongst the
residents of these province around the movement's 101 birthday
celebrations. We can now confidently declare that the ANC is ready to
host the 101 years anniversary celebrations.