The party is expecting up to 120‚000 people to attend the all-day celebration at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg‚ where President Jacob Zuma will deliver the annual January 8 statement.
ANC bigwigs will be out in force‚ with many already in the platinum city preparing for the event. ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe was in Mmatau in the North West Province on Monday‚ and ministers Fikile Mbalula‚ Angie Motshekga and Pravin Gordhan are expected to be at the stadium on Friday.
North West police have taken special measures to ensure that the celebrations go off without incident.
Commentators will be watching the proceedings closely‚ after reports of divisions within the party following Zuma’s firing of former finance minister Nanhla Nene.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for unity ahead of the event.