The ANC in exile issued its first January 8th statement in 1972, the founding date of the ANC. This statement outlined the organisation’s programme for the year. Following a hiatus, the ANC issued its next January 8th statement in 1979.
The idea of marking the anniversary of the founding of the organisation with a statement became a tradition over the years and is known as the January 8th Statement.
However, in the years between 1972 and 1979 the ANC issued statements related to major events or issues. These were known as Special Statements.
Read the ANC’s January 8th Statements, listed below.
January 8th, 2024 - The Year of United Action to Defend our Freedom and Advance a Better Life for All: Forward to a Decisive Victory!
January 8th, 2023 - The Year of Decisive Action to Advance the People's Interest and Renew our Movement
January 8th, 2022 - The Year of Unity and Renewal to Defend and Advance South Africa's Democratic Gains
January 8th, 2021 - The Year of Charlotte Maxeke
January 8th, 2020 - The Year of Unity, Socio-Economic Renewal and Nation Building
January 8th, 2019 - The Year of United Action to Grow South Africa
January 8th, 2018 - 100 Years of Nelson Mandela: The Year of Renewal, Unity and Jobs
January 8th, 2017 - The Year of Oliver Reginald Tambo: Let Us Deepen Unity
January 8th, 2016 - The Year of Advancing People's Power: Local Government is in your Hands
January 8th, 2015 - The Year of the Freedom Charter and Unity in Action to Advance Economic Freedom
January 8th, 2014 - The Year of United Action to move South Africa forward
January 8th, 2013 - The Year of Unity in Action Towards socio-economic freedom
January 8th, 2012 - The Year of Unity in Diversity
January 8th, 2011 - The Year of consolidating People's Power for the National Democratic Society
January 8th, 2010 - The Year of Working Together to Speed Up Effective Service Delivery to the People
January 8th, 2009 - The Year to Defend the Unity of our Organisation and Protect the Gains of our National Democratic Revolution
January 8th, 2008 - The Year of Mass Mobilisation to Build a Caring Society
January 8th, 2007 - The Year To Intensify The Struggle Against Poverty As We Advance In Unity Towards 2012
January 8th, 2006 - The Year of Mobilisation for People’s Power through Democratic Local Government
January 8th, 2005 - The Year of Popular Mobilisation to Advance tye vision of the Freedom Charter
January 8th, 2004 - The Year of the Renewal of the Democratic Mandate
January 8th, 2003 - The Year of United Action to push back the frontiers of poverty
January 8th, 2002 - The Year of the Volunteer for Reconstruction and Development
January 8th, 2001 - The Year of the African Century - for Democracy, Peace and Development
January 8th, 2000 - The Year of the Dawn of the African Century
January 8th, 1999 - Year of Mass Mobilisation for the Renewal of the Democratic Mandate
January 8th, 1998 - The Year of the Popular Mobilisation for the Consolidation of People's Power
January 8th, 1997 - A Year for Consolidating the National Democratic Revolution, A Year for Re-affirming the ANC Cadre
January 8th, 1996 - Statement of the National Executive Committee on the occasion of the 84th Anniversary of the ANC
January 8th, 1995 - A Year to Consolidate and Deepen Democracy
January 8th, 1994 - The Year of Liberation for all South Africans
January 8th, 1993 - The Year of votes for all
January 8th, 1992 - The Year of Democratic Elections for a Constituent Assembly
January 8th, 1991 - The Year of Mass Action for the Transfer of Power to the People
January 8th, 1990 - The Year of people's action for a democratic South Africa
January 8th, 1989 - The Year of Mass Action for People`s Power
January 8th, 1988 - The Year of United Action for People`s Power
January 8th, 1987 - Year of Advance to People`s Power
January 8th, 1986 - The Year of Umkhonto Wesizwe - the People's Army
January 8th, 1985 - The Year of the Cadre
January 8th, 1984 - The Year of the Women
January 8th, 1983 - The Year of United Action
January 8th, 1982 - A year of Unity in Action
January 8th, 1981 - The Year of the Youth
January 8th, 1980 - The Year of the Charter
January 8th, 1979 - The Year of the Spear
January 8th, 1978 - No statement issued
January 8th, 1977 - No statement issued
January 8th, 1976 - No statement issued
January 8th, 1975 - No statement issued
January 8th, 1974 - No statement issued
January 8th, 1973 - No statement issued