The ANC officially turned 114 on the 8th of January and held its celebration on the 10th, but what really made the event trend had little to do with politics. Instead, the celebration weekend quickly became known online as a time when slay queens allegedly linked up with ANC comrades to party and enjoy soft life vibes.
From WhatsApp groups to X timelines, people were not talking about speeches or party resolutions. The main talk was that this was the kind of weekend where slay queens and powerful comrades meet, party, drink, and enjoy themselves away from the struggles of ordinary people. Many users joked that the ANC birthday has now become a social calendar event rather than a political one.
Even though the main event itself was organised and official, the rumours and stories focused on what allegedly happened after. According to social media gossip, the real fun started at after parties, private venues, and luxury spots where money, connections, and nightlife took over. This is the narrative that made the celebration trend, not the history of the movement.
Young people from Rustenburg and Moruleng were especially vocal. Many said there was no point in attending ANC events when they are unemployed, broke, and stressed while others seem to be enjoying life through political connections. For them, the celebration felt like it was not meant for struggling youth but for a select crowd living large.
In my opinion, this is why the ANC keeps trending for the wrong reasons. When your birthday weekend is associated with slay queens and partying with comrades instead of hope and solutions, the public will talk, joke, and judge. Fair or not, that is the image people now see, and until it changes, every ANC celebration will come with gossip, controversy, and hot street talk instead of respect.
