Fifty-five years ago, Umkhonto we Sizwe was formed. We salute all those brave men and women who took up arms to advance our struggle. We shall continue to assist them with their reintegration and to improve their quality of life.

We are also commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the 1976 Soweto student uprisings. We proudly remember those young, gallant and politically conscious fighters. In their memory, we shall ensure that our municipalities focus on the youth, while also reaching out to other sectors such as the farm workers, the rural masses, urban and jobless workers and middle strata.

South Africa celebrates twenty years since the adoption of the Constitution in May 1996. The Constitution is grounded in the Freedom Charter, which continues to be the foundation of democratic South Africa. The Constitution enjoins all of us to build local government that has the capacity to:
• Provide democratic and accountable government for local communities.
• Ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner.
• Promote social and economic development.
• Promote a safe and healthy environment.
• Encourage involvement of communities and community organisations on matters of local government.

Submitted by The ANC