THE Mangaung metro has set aside R35-million to renovate the church in which the ruling party was formed in 1912.
Work on the Dutch Reformed Church in Waaihoek, Bloemfontein, will start soon. The church is expected to be turned into a national museum after the renovations.
The organisation was formed because of the many grievances of blacks after the passing of the South Africa Act of 1910 that established the Union of South Africa, the treatment of Africans after the South African War and numerous laws that controlled and restricted their movement.
Handing the project to the Department of Public Works, Mangaung metro mayor Thabo Manyoni could not hide his excitement about the renovation of the church.
He said: "We as the city are ready to host the celebrations. The facelift of the church where our comrades used to meet is a milestone on its own. Most importantly the legacy that will be left after the celebrations will last forever.
"We are working very hard to prepare for the celebrations and this is one of the projects that we will be proud of as a city that is on the move."
ANC political coordinator Oupa Khoabane said the renovations were aimed at restoring the church to its original structure.
"We are delighted that the church where the ANC was formed is getting facelift," he said.
"What is vital is that this church will be turned into a museum where future generations will keep in touch with history.
"This museum will be an important monument to retain the history of the ANC."
He said the project would also assist tin creating employment for the nearby communities. Before the renovations were announced, the church was used as a panel-beating shop.
The renovations are expected to be completed before the end of this year.
R35m facelift for ANC church
THE Mangaung metro has set aside R35-million to renovate the church in which the ruling party was formed in 1912.
Work on the Dutch Reformed Church in Waaihoek, Bloemfontein, will start soon. The church is expected to be turned into a national museum after the renovations.
The organisation was formed because of the many grievances of blacks after the passing of the South Africa Act of 1910 that established the Union of South Africa, the treatment of Africans after the South African War and numerous laws that controlled and restricted their movement.
Handing the project to the Department of Public Works, Mangaung metro mayor Thabo Manyoni could not hide his excitement about the renovation of the church.
He said: "We as the city are ready to host the celebrations. The facelift of the church where our comrades used to meet is a milestone on its own. Most importantly the legacy that will be left after the celebrations will last forever.
"We are working very hard to prepare for the celebrations and this is one of the projects that we will be proud of as a city that is on the move."
ANC political coordinator Oupa Khoabane said the renovations were aimed at restoring the church to its original structure.
"We are delighted that the church where the ANC was formed is getting facelift," he said.
"What is vital is that this church will be turned into a museum where future generations will keep in touch with history.
"This museum will be an important monument to retain the history of the ANC."
He said the project would also assist tin creating employment for the nearby communities. Before the renovations were announced, the church was used as a panel-beating shop.
The renovations are expected to be completed before the end of this year.
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