As the African National Congress (ANC) marked its 114th anniversary at Moruleng Stadium with speeches, cultural performances and displays of unity, a simmering sense of frustration emerged among a group of party volunteers who say they were sidelined from the main celebration despite days of dedicated service.
The volunteers, drawn largely from local ANC branches in the North West, were instrumental in preparing the venue ahead of the high-profile event. Their duties reportedly included logistics support, crowd control assistance, cleaning, and coordination of activities in the days leading up to the anniversary. However, many claim they were barred from entering the stadium during the central programme.
According to those affected, access was restricted to accredited delegates, senior party officials and invited guests, leaving grassroots volunteers watching proceedings from outside the venue. Some described the experience as demoralising, saying it undermined the ANC’s long-standing narrative of valuing branch-level activism and volunteerism.
“This organisation was built by ordinary members,” one volunteer said. “To work tirelessly and then be excluded from the celebration feels like a betrayal.”
Party officials on the ground acknowledged the complaints but cited security protocols and limited seating capacity as the reasons for restricted access. They stressed that no deliberate attempt was made to marginalise volunteers and thanked them for their contribution to the success of the event.
Political analysts note that while logistical challenges are common at large gatherings, incidents like this risk fuelling perceptions of disconnect between ANC leadership and its grassroots base.
As the ANC reflects on 114 years of struggle, governance and renewal, the Moruleng incident has highlighted the delicate balance between managing major political events and maintaining morale among the volunteers who remain the party’s backbone.