ANC centenary puts Mangaung on global map

An air of excitement enveloped the Mangaung Metropolitan area last weekend when the ANC celebrated its 100th year of existence in spectacular fashion.The main celebrations stretched over three days and more than 100 000 visitors flocked to Bloemfontein to be part of the historic event.

Although final figures still had to be tallied, indications are that well over 6 000 invited guests, which included 46 heads of state and other foreign nationals, attended the event.
“We believe that the occasion impacted positively on the local economy and has placed Mangaung firmly on the political map of the country and as well as significant symbol in the political history of the country,” said ANC national spokesperson Jackson Mthembu during a media briefing held after the event.
Mthembu commended the disciplined conduct of the party’s members and supporters for an “incident free occasion”.
“We noted a handful of people in the crowd who behaved in an unruly manner and we have confirmed that most of them were drunk.”However, hosting an event of this magnitude inevitably presents some challenges.

Mthembu apologised for any glitches that might have occurred, particularly regarding the accreditation of guests, the media, and service providers.

Organisers and visitors who left accommodation arrangements to the last minute found themselves without a bed upon arrival in the city, as all hotels and guesthouses were fully booked. Many went around neighbourhoods knocking on doors, while others slept in their cars or returned home after the main event.Tourism authorities estimated that the value of the accommodation booked prior to the event was approximately R1-billion.This excluded exclusive deals that African heads of state struck with owners of luxury homes. Many residents of the luxurious Woodland Hills Estate rented out their homes from R35 000 a day during the event.Philip Coetzee said on Facebook that he rented out his student house to Rwandans.

“All paid, no breakages, no problems at all. I’ve heard there are two more events coming to Bloem this year! Will definitely be available again.”Entertainment establishments and restaurants also cashed in. Throughout the weekend everything from large chain eateries to small taverns were packed to capacity.According to some reports, sidewalk tables were being sold for R10 000 where ANC bigwigs were partying.One of the owners of Cubaña, George Davelis, was all smiles after the weekend.“‘This past weekend went exceptionally well and it was better than expected. I had more customers than I had during Macufe.”

However, the owner of Coobah, Pano Joannides, experienced a disappointing weekend. “Business was average and I did not make as much I thought I would make during the ANC centenary celebration. My turnover for the past weekend was about R20 000.”Ahead of Sunday’s main celebration, which was held at Free State Stadium, vendors could be seen lining the streets around the venue selling a wide range of ANC paraphernalia and commemorative wares. One of the businesspeople who made good use of the centenary weekend was the chairperson of BGS Buscon, Godfrey Seleka.He sold golden trinkets which included dog tags and ladies’ and gentlemen’s ring sets for between R50 and R500.

Seleka said he wanted to raise funds for the ANC and educate people about the transformation of precious metals.Police and traffic authorities were also out in force over the weekend to ensure calm prevailed. Traffic officials manned all major crossings in the city, police were highly visible, and helicopters monitored the situation from the sky.Very few incidents were reported during the event.

Colonel Vishnu Naidoo of the National Joint Operation Centre said two men and a youth were arrested for allegedly shining a green laser light at aircraft, such as helicopters, taking off from the Bloemfontein Airport and Bloemspruit Airforce Base.Theunis Jacobs Le Grange (45) and Albertus Ettiene Niewoudt (21) have both been charged under the Aviation Act.

Hundred years celebrated … President Jacob Zuma cuts the centennial birthday cake at the main event.

They appeared in court on Monday and received R500 bail. The case against a 14-year-old boy was withdrawn.Meanwhile, police in Botshabelo prevented a potentially violent situation ahead of the celebration weekend when they passively dispersed an unruly crowd in the area.

“A group of approximately 1 000 people clustered themselves in smaller groups along the Botshabelo Main Road, up to the N8 highway intersection. The groups were apparently protesting that they were promised accreditation for the ANC centenary celebration,” said Naidoo. At the main event on Sunday at Free State Stadium, President Jacob Zuma ceremoniously cut a giant cake and handed out slices to the delegation on stage.The rest of the cake was distributed to orphanages, hospices, and old-age homes in Mangaung this week.Many visitors said they were honoured to be part of the prestigious event.Thato Koesha from Bloemfontein was happy to share in the celebrations.“We are happy about this celebration because this is a once-in-lifetime experience for us. We love our organisation, but we appeal to our leaders to create jobs for us. If this does not happen any time, we young people are doomed.”Rose Tsehlana was upbeat about the future of the ruling party. “We are satisfied with what we have seen here in our town. This was the biggest event I have ever seen. Even the Fifa World Cup did not meet this standard. To those who were not clued up about the history of our struggle in this country, they were informed. I was around during the 1976 riots and I was also affected by what I saw then.”

Theda Heinze from Langenhoven Park believes that the greatest achievement of the ANC was equal rights for all.“I understand why people feel so strong about this celebration. I am white in South Africa and I am able to have friends across colour and race. On Sunday I helped people to capture the memory of this day by taking pictures of them and created a calendar with their photos and the leaders such as Mandela, Mbeki, and Zuma.”Yolanda Venter said she did not know much about the history of the ANC before the centenary.“I think what is good about this is the achievements.

Vendors cashed in … Vendors made full use of the opportunity the ANC’s 100-year celebrations provided.

However, nothing lasts forever, and once the last champagne bottle had been uncorked and the last homage paid, it was time for the masses to return home.  The Road Traffic Management Corporation reported that traffic volumes were heavier than usual on the N1 and N3 highways between Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, and Harrismith on Monday.According to spokesperson Ashref Ismail, this was due to the centenary celebrations.“Many decided to sleep over and travel this morning [Monday].”About 1 000 vehicles an hour passed through toll gates on the N1 and 1 050 vehicles an hour on the N3, said Ismail.

The majority of the vehicles on the road were buses and minibus taxis.The centennial celebration weekend was the biggest event ever organised by the ANC and will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the biggest events that Bloemfontein has ever seen. It also served as a curtain raiser to the party’s elective conference that will be held in the city in December.