As the African National Congress (ANC) marks 113 years of its formation on Wednesday, a former journalist and author, Lesley Mofokeng, who is also the Sol Plaatje scholar and journalism lecturer at Wits University says as part of celebrating the anniversary, contributions of activists like Sol Plaatje should not be in vain.
Sol Plaatje was a founding member and first General Secretary of the South African Native National Congress (SANNC). It later became the African National Congress in 1923 and now one of the oldest liberation organisations that fought for freedom and justice.
Plaatje was also a teacher, court interpreter and novelist among his many roles. Mofokeng says Plaatje stood for the rights of Black people.
“It is interesting to note that in 1911 in December, there was a meeting in Nancefield, Johannesburg that took place when Sol Plaatje himself suggested January date as the launch date of the then South African Native National Congress. Furthermore, he is the one who stood up in opposition in the name South African Native National Congress, he suggested that it should be given an African name. One of those was imbizo yabantu.”
Born in the Free State in 1877, Plaatje relocated to Kimberley where he worked as a postman. A political analyst says Plaatje must be remembered as a person who fought for social justice.
“The ANC is celebrating 113 years as a result of the foundation laid by Sol Plaatje. A political stalwart who played a significant role in the formation of the ANC fighting for social justice,” says political commentator Dr Sethulego Matebesi.
Meanwhile, some residents of Kimberley have wished the ANC well as it marks its anniversary.
“ANC has done a lot for the people of South Africa. We thank the ANC. Let them continue with the work of changing the lives of South Africans. We don’t want to go back to apartheid era,” says resident Sinah Fernando.
“They have done a lot in South Africa. I appreciate what they did,” says another resident Lebogang Humampe.
“I have children here. I have a South African ID. It’s because of the ANC. I managed to get an ID in 1994 and vote,” says resident Antonio Fernando.
As the ANC celebrates its achievements in its 113 years of existence, the party faces the mammoth task of attracting votes ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
Video: ANC’s January 8th Statement – ‘ANC is the oldest liberation movement and its under threat’
