Contrasting views have been expressed on whether the ANC’s January 8 Statement and 105th birthday event in Soweto on Sunday was a success in terms of attendance.

The ANC says more than 40 000 supporters from across the country filled the Orlando Stadium.

Party Treasurer-General Zweli Mkhize says they were pleased with the turnout despite the wet weather and a hashtag campaign urging non-attendance.

However, EFF leader Julius Maelma says the fact that the governing party had to transport supporters from Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal shows that the ANC is imploding.

Malema predicted that the ANC’s next anniversary rally will be held at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, which only has the capacity to seat 10 000 people.

COPE reiterated the EFF’s sentiments saying using a smaller venue like Orlando Stadium is a clear indication that support for the party is dwindling.

COPE’s Dennis Bloem says if the ANC wanted to display the strength of support, it should have moved the event to the FNB stadium which can accommodate 90 000 people.

He says, “Since 1990 with the unbanning of the ANC and political parties, the ANC never had a big event in a small venue like Orlando stadium. It is very clear that the ANC is losing support and a grip on the people of this country.”