Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says the African National Congress (ANC) booked Mandela Park in Khayelitsha for its 113th anniversary celebration out of desperation as there have been no different venues obtainable.

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa is anticipated to ship the January 8 assertion at Mandela Park in Khayelitsha on the weekend.

WHY DID THE ANC BOOK MANDELA PARK IN KHAYELITSHA?

On Thursday, 9 January, through the Annual Progressive Business Forum (PBF) Presidential Golf Day on the Rondebosch Golf Club, ANC Western Cape chairperson Vuyiso Tyhalisisu advised Newzroom Afrika that the occasion truly selected Mandela Park Stadium to attach with individuals following the historic electoral decline in 2024.

Tyhalisisu mentioned they selected to begin in Khayelitsha as a result of it is among the largest townships within the Western Cape.

“Part of what we’re doing on this construct up is to take heed to our communities and we’re left with homework because the management of the province and the area to make a observe up on these points that our individuals have raised to them.

“So, we chose Khayelitsha to reconnect with our people and listening to their plea and try to resolve the issues of our communities,” he defined.

However, Cape Town Geordin Hill-Lewis took to X to dispute Tyhalisisu’s declare.

“For the file, the ANC didn’t e-book the Khayelitsha stadium ‘out of concern’ for residents. They’re mendacity. They booked it as a result of they had been too incompetent to e-book another venue in time. They solely tried to e-book Cape Town Stadium in mid-November 2024! It was already booked for a Stormers recreation. Then they tried Athlone Stadium. It was additionally booked, for the Klopse Carnival.

“Several ANC office bearers called me asking for help in late November and even early December. They said we were trying to sabotage them by refusing the Stadium. In November! Lol! The last conversation I had was 5 December, and by then they still hadn’t made a booking. So please don’t believe their nonsense,” he posted on X.

WHO DO YOU BELIEVE BETWEEN THE ANC AND GEORDIN HILL-LEWIS REGARDING THE VENUE FOR THE JANUARY 8 STATEMENT?

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