A party that can't party

The ANC is big on anniversaries. It celebrates its birthday every year with much pomp and circumstance and tipsy clinking of champagne glasses. It's a somewhat strange habit. A big song and dance about simply surviving another year. But then again, when a government has pitifully few tangible political achievements to celebrate, what else to toast but marking off another year on the calendar?

- William Saunderson-Meyer

In a similar vein, the ANC on Monday celebrated the first 100 days of the government of national unity (GNU), which saw it enter into a de facto coalition with its previously despised enemies, the DA. Held outside Luthuli House rather than a stadium, it was more funereal than celebratory. The customary exuberant call-and-response of "Amandla!" and "Awethu!" that punctuates any ANC occasion was muted. The assembled flesh might have been willing but the spirit was decidedly weak, despite the valiant cheerleading attempts of secretary-general Fikile Mbalula.