The City of Cape Town has addressed concerns regarding the safety and capacity of Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha, chosen as the venue for the African National Congress (ANC)’s January 8 statement event. Officials have assured that the 2,000-seater stadium is suitable for accommodating the over 22,000 supporters expected.
The ANC is marking its 113th anniversary this week, hosting a series of events leading up to Saturday’s celebration. The party has emphasized that selecting the Khayelitsha venue demonstrates its commitment to reconnecting with its support base and avoids the need to prove itself by filling larger stadiums.
However, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has claimed that detractors within the ANC, particularly those opposed to the Government of National Unity (GNU), are fueling a false narrative about the stadium’s use. Hill-Lewis singled out Deputy President Paul Mashatile as a key figure in this alleged internal discord.
In a series of posts on X, Hill-Lewis accused the ANC of being dishonest about the venue situation. He revealed that he had been contacted as early as November to help secure a venue but refused to cancel pre-booked events at two of the city’s largest stadiums to accommodate the ANC.
“They are leveraging this internal conflict, including factions aligned with [Panyaza] Lesufi and possibly Mashatile, to argue against the GNU’s continuation. To bolster their position, they attack the other major partner in the GNU,” Hill-Lewis claimed.
This public exchange highlights growing tensions within the ANC and its relationship with the GNU. As the party prepares for its key anniversary event, the spotlight remains on how these internal and external dynamics will unfold.