S. African Ruling Party to Celebrate 90th Anniversary

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, January 04, 2002

S. African Ruling Party to Celebrate 90th Anniversary

South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) is to celebrate its 90th anniversary on Sunday and the event will be witnessed by dignitaries from around the world, the ANC said on Thursday.

South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) is to celebrate its 90th anniversary on Sunday and the event will be witnessed by dignitaries from around the world, the ANC said on Thursday.

The event is to kick off in the morning in the eastern city of Durban with a number of cultural and religious items before the party leader, President Thabo Mbeki, delivers what has become known as the "January 8th" ANC statement.

The party was founded in 1912 -- two years before the formation of the white Afrikaners' National Party.

The ANC said in a statement on Thursday that numerous dignitaries from countries around the world "which stood by the ANC during the fierce struggle against apartheid" would attend.

Mbeki's speech is to be broadcast live by the South African Broadcasting Corporation. Deputy President Jacob Zuma, who is also ANC deputy leader, is to present ANC achievement awards after Mbeki's speech.

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