ANC denies reports of members funding their own transport to the 113th anniversary event, insisting the 22,000-seat Khayelitsha stadium will be filled by local supporters.

The African National Congress (ANC) has strongly refuted media reports claiming that its members, already struggling financially, have been told to pay their own way to attend the party’s 113th-anniversary celebration in Cape Town on January 8.

The controversial reports have raised eyebrows across the country, with some questioning the party’s ability to fund such a large-scale event.

But ANC spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, quickly set the record straight, calling these claims “untrue” and suggesting that they were a figment of the reporter’s imagination.

Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Bhengu-Motsiri dismissed the notion that the ANC was unable to fund transport for its members, explaining that the event would be a locally driven affair.

She reiterated that the party’s Western Cape branch would fill the Mandela Park Stadium, located in the heart of Khayelitsha, with no external help needed.

“We dismiss the notion that our members will have to pay for transport,” Bhengu-Motsiri stated firmly. “That is absolutely not true, and we will be taking this up with the Press Ombudsman.”

Despite financial constraints faced by the party in recent years, the spokesperson emphasized the tradition within the ANC of having the host province take the lead in terms of attendance.

“It is a well-established custom that the province hosting the event takes the responsibility of filling the stadium,” Bhengu-Motsiri added.

“And there is no expectation that members will be bused in from provinces like Limpopo or KwaZulu-Natal, especially considering the current state of our roads.”

She further stressed that local structures in the Western Cape would take the initiative to travel and ensure a packed venue.

This assertion comes amidst growing concern about the ANC’s ability to draw large crowds. Last year, the party’s anniversary was marked at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga, which boasts a much larger seating capacity of 43,000.

This year, however, the party is opting for the Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha, which can only hold 22,000 people, raising questions about whether the ANC can fill the space in a province governed by the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA).

Bhengu-Motsiri also clarified that in addition to the main stadium, there would be an overflow area—referred to as “Site B”—which would accommodate anyone unable to find a seat in the main venue.

She expressed concern that media reports had failed to include this important detail.

“The stadium holds 22,000, but we have planned for more, with an overflow area to make sure everyone who wants to attend has a place,” she explained. “Unfortunately, that hasn’t been mentioned in the reporting, and we intend to correct these inaccuracies.”

The ANC’s decision to hold its 113th-anniversary rally in the Western Cape for the first time since 2015 has generated significant debate, not just because of the venue’s capacity but also due to the political dynamics in the region.

The province, which has long been a stronghold of the DA, presents a tough battleground for the ANC as it seeks to reassert its relevance in the area.

This has only added fuel to the fire, as some argue that the smaller stadium may reflect the diminishing political influence of the ANC in the Western Cape.

Despite these challenges, ANC leaders, including Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, have defended the choice of the venue.

Mbalula has insisted that the Khayelitsha location is ideal due to its strategic positioning within the province, which he believes will allow the party to reach a larger portion of its constituency.

He also stated that the smaller venue was in line with the party’s vision of focusing on quality over quantity. “We are confident that the ANC members in the Western Cape will rally behind us and fill the stadium,” Bhengu-Motsiri reiterated.

While the ANC struggles with its image in the Western Cape, the party is also grappling with financial difficulties and internal divisions, which some argue may impact the turnout at the anniversary event.

With mounting pressure both within and outside the organization, the party’s leadership will be hoping for a strong show of support from local members on January 8.

Yet, given the backdrop of ongoing tensions and leadership disputes within the ANC, it remains to be seen whether they can truly fill the 22,000-seat stadium or whether the party’s own divisions will manifest in lower-than-expected attendance.

As the January 8 celebration approaches, one thing remains clear: the ANC’s ability to unify its base in the Western Cape—and beyond—will be under intense scrutiny.

Whether or not the party can live up to its claims of filling the stadium with local members will be a critical test of its strength in the region.