RAWLINGS in South Africa for ANC centenary celebrations

Accra, Jan.7, GNA - Ghana’s former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings arrived in Bloemfontein, South Africa on Friday to participate in activities marking the centenary of the African National Congress (ANC).

President Rawlings is attending the celebrations at the invitation of South African Head of State, Jacob Zuma, who doubles as the President of the ANC. A statement issued in Accra said the activities planned for the climax of the celebrations, which started in 2011, include a grand celebration and musical fiesta on Sunday, January 8 to be addressed by President Zuma.

Other activities planned include a special anniversary dinner on Saturday, December 7 and intercultural celebrations on the same day.

Leaders from across the globe are converging in the South African city of Bloemfontein where the ANC freedom struggles begun in 1912.

The formation of the ANC in 1912 was a culmination of the struggle against colonialism and the bringing together of ethnic resistance into a common, national struggle against international imperialism and national oppression.

“Today the blood, sweat and toil of many members of the ANC and its allied forces has led to ANC successfully ruling South Africa since 1994 when Nelson Mandela was the first South African to be elected in a fully representative democratic election,” the statement said.

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings accompanied former President Rawlings.