As the African National Congress (ANC) gears up for its extensive 112th birthday festivities this weekend in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, provincial traffic authorities are issuing a plea for caution on the roads.
Preliminary reports suggest that most accommodations in the city are already fully booked in anticipation of the upcoming weekend activities.
Mpumalanga community safety, security, and liaison spokesperson Moeti Mmusi expressed optimism about the positive impact on tourism and local businesses in and around the city of Mbombela.
However, Vusi Shongwe, Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security, and Liaison, has called on motorists heading to the provincial capital city for the celebrations to adhere to road safety regulations, emphasizing the importance of preventing fatalities and injuries resulting from vehicle accidents. Shongwe stated, “We are excited to welcome visitors and party members to the place of the rising sun. However, we want them to be safe on the road. This will only happen when they obey the rules, not drinking and driving, ensuring the roadworthiness of vehicles, along with resting sufficiently, particularly when doing long trips.”
Shongwe noted that Mpumalanga’s festive road safety campaign remains in full effect due to increased travel, not only for the ANC celebrations but also as schools are set to reopen next week.
“Our law enforcement will be on extreme alert this weekend to respond to any eventuality,” Shongwe assured. The annual ANC birthday festivities will culminate in the delivery of the January 8 Statement by the president of the ruling party, Cyril Ramaphosa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to address crowds of supporters on Saturday, with the celebration falling within the working week. In the lead-up to the weekend event, IOL has been covering various activities involving Ramaphosa and other prominent ANC figures in the Mpumalanga province to rally support for Saturday’s gathering.