In celebrating the African National Congress’s (ANC’s) 113th anniversary, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the party is determined to work to rebuild people’s trust in the ANC.

The ANC is set to celebrate its anniversary on Saturday, in Khayelitsha, in the Western Cape, where Ramaphosa will present the annual January 8th Statement.

Party leaders kicked off the festivities this week, with a visit to Robben Island on Wednesday, which Ramaphosa said occupies a significant place in the ANC’s history.

“Robben Island is a symbol of enslavement and rebellion. It is a site of both imprisonment and resistance. On this day, at this place, we pay tribute to the men and women who fought so courageously against colonialism and apartheid. We pay tribute to the visionaries who founded the ANC on this day in 1912, and we honour the men and women who swelled its ranks over more than a century.

“…by visiting Robben Island on these most important days in the life of our movement, we are reaffirming our determination to advance the struggle for the complete liberation of all South Africans from all forms of oppression. We are sending a message that no matter the challenges we confront, we will overcome them,” he said.

He stated that the party will prevail, as it has done so before, and stressed is committed to renewal and rebuilding.

Ramaphosa said the ANC has learnt from the experience of those imprisoned on Robben Island that rebuilding a movement requires effective organisation and thorough political engagement.

“Rebuilding requires vibrant democratic practice, accountability and discipline,” he highlighted.

The leaders and cadres who spent time imprisoned on the island understood the vital need for unity, trust and personal integrity, he added.

“They knew that they had to work together. As we work to rebuild the ANC, we are drawing on these lessons from Robben Island. We are drawing on a wealth of experience that stretches back over 113 years of struggle,” he said.

Further, he urged the party to acknowledge its shortcomings and challenges, while recognising the strengths and capabilities that reside in the movement.

The ANC National Executive Committee will outline the party’s priorities and tasks for the year ahead in the upcoming January 8 Statement.

“We will describe the actions that we must take throughout all structures of the movement to advance the struggle for a better life for all our people. The January 8th Statement will place the needs of South Africans at the centre of our programme for the year – to create jobs, to build a growing and inclusive economy, to fight poverty and to tackle crime and violence,” Ramaphosa said.

He added that the Statement will outline the work the party needs to do to further advance the renewal and rebuilding of the movement.