Watch: Lead Up to President Ramaphosa's January 8 Statement

The ANC celebrated its 111th birthday in Mangaung in the Free State where the January 8 Statement was delivered. The birthday bash ran concurrently with the continuation of the party's 55th national conference, a hybrid event across the country, that was adjourned in December due to time constraints. The celebrations kicked off with build-up activities on the Wednesday prior to the January 8 Statement. On Saturday, re-elected ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the party’s Fezile Dabi region at the gravesite of the Reverend Zaccheus Richard Mahabane, the third president of the ANC, in Seeisosville cemetery, Maokeng. President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on citizens of the Free State to come out in their numbers to hear him deliver his message to the people. Ramaphosa delivered the Statement at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein. The January 8 Statement was first issued in 1972, while the ANC was in exile under the leadership of its then president, Oliver Tambo. The purpose of the statement is to chart and outline the ANC’s programme for the year.