The African National Congress (ANC) recently held its 112th-anniversary celebrations at the Mbombela Stadium, where an unexpected and controversial symbol appeared — a casket bearing the inscription ‘RIP Zuma’.
ANC rattles Msholozi supporters with ‘RIP Zuma’ casket at Mbombela
PLEASE NOTE: The third-party content below is shared on our platform for journalistic purposes. Swisher Post, its parent company, partners and affiliates shall not be held liable for any consequence that arises from the journalistic duties performed in sharing this content.
This provocative display ignited a storm of backlash from supporters of the former president.
Amid the raucous celebrations, with scores of ANC supporters clad in party regalia, a casket with the words “RIP Zuma” and “SANCO W44” caught viewers’ attention.
Ironically, following Jacob Zuma‘s shocking press conference on the 62nd anniversary of Umkhonto Wesizwe, the ANC had announced that despite the former president campaigning for the newly-formed spring-off party, once a crucial cog of the ruling party’s strategic destabilisation of the apartheid regime, Msholozi would remain the chairperson of the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO).
It seems, though, that SANCO’s Ward 44, designated in Johannesburg, wants Zuma completely axed from the ANC, a display that drew ire from the former president’s core followers.
While the ANC has, for the most part, distanced itself from the ‘RIP Zuma’ casket, insiders indicate the party’s Top Six may have been privy to the gimmick, which sources claim was orchestrated by Fikile Mbalula, who has been very vocal recently about the former president’s smear campaign.
Apart from the gimmick, the ANC’s 112th birthday bash was an indication of the party’s strong support in crucial voting regions, despite negative sentiment on its performance in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Party president Cyril Ramaphosa used the occasion to deliver the ANC’s election manifesto, which, for the most part, was a recital of past promises of alleviating poverty, boosting manpower in policing and growing the economy.
“The ANC is ready to launch a formidable campaign that will engage with citizens and every sector of society to seek a decisive mandate from the people to who continue to love the ANC,” the president said.
