President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed suggestions that the African National Congress (ANC) is on a downward spiral, telling supporters in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape that the party is gaining momentum ahead of Wednesday’s local government elections. Ramaphosa addressed supporters at the party’s final push to win over voters at the Siyanqoba rally at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium on Sunday. He expressed confidence in the party's chances, citing the turnout at recent party gatherings as evidence of its strength.
The ANC has held a series of rallies across South Africa and conducted door-to-door campaigning as it seeks to secure support ahead of the polls. Ramaphosa pointed to the turnout at recent party gatherings, including its Siyanqoba rally in Limpopo, as evidence that South Africans love the party. He said the ANC would use the November 4 elections to prove its critics wrong, who claim the party is losing support.
Ramaphosa thanked party volunteers and candidates for taking the ANC’s election manifesto to communities across the country, saying their engagements had helped the party understand residents’ concerns and expectations. The party had engaged with workers, traditional leaders, women, people with disabilities, business owners, and young people during its campaign. This has enabled the ANC to tailor its policies to address the needs of various communities.
During the campaign, communities raised concerns about unemployment among graduates, poor employment conditions, gender-based violence, and the need for increased social grants. Ramaphosa said the party had listened to young people who have told them that despite having degrees, they are unemployed. The party has also heard from traditional leaders and women who have expressed concerns about social grants and gender-based violence.
Ramaphosa argued that the ANC’s nationwide campaign distinguished it from other political parties, saying its structures had the capacity to reach communities in villages, towns, cities, and metropolitan areas. He claimed that other parties could not match the ANC's capability, citing their limited reach and resources. This, he believes, gives the ANC an edge in the elections.
Ramaphosa defended the party’s councillor candidate selection process, saying communities had been given the opportunity to choose people they knew and trusted to represent them in municipal councils. He urged supporters to turn out and vote for the candidates selected in their communities. The ANC's goal is to address the aspirations of its people, including fixing the economy and creating jobs.
The ANC’s campaign has placed economic growth, job creation, and improved service delivery at the centre of its message as parties compete for control of municipalities across South Africa. The local government elections will take place on Wednesday, November 4. The outcome will be crucial in determining the future of the country's municipalities and the ANC's influence in local governance.
Key points
- The ANC is confident of its chances in the local government elections, despite suggestions that it is on a downward spiral.
- President Ramaphosa has cited the turnout at recent party gatherings as evidence of the ANC's strength and popularity.
- The ANC's campaign has focused on addressing the concerns of various communities, including unemployment, social grants, and gender-based violence.
