By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) hosted a fundraising gala dinner in Durban ahead of Saturday’s manifesto launch at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Campaigning for the May elections is well underway after the voting date was announced and gazetted.
Over 10 million people backed the party during the previous general elections – with the ANC now facing bleak polls, which in the main suggest it will go below 50%.
But in recent days the ANC, in events building up to manifesto launch has been on the ground in KwaZulu-Natal, where Jacob Zuma is expected to affect it the most.
The ANC’s campaign has largely focused on its successes over the past 30 years, stating that life for ordinary South Africans drastically changed from apartheid to the democratic government.
Speaking at the manifesto preview in Durban on Friday night, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa, said the manifesto talks about sustaining and improving the country’s democratic gains.
“It is only the ANC that has the experience of governance, the talent, the capacity to take this country forward Bayathanda noma abathandi (whether they like it or not) the ANC has that ability.” said Ramaphosa.
Earlier, Ramaphosa went on a walkabout at the Umlazi Mega City mall where he received a warm welcome from locals.
“uRamaphosa uyamthanda umahlalela, uvele a mnike uR350 (Ramaphosa loves/takes care of the unemployed, he gives them R350)” reverberated in the mall as the locals sang, following him around during his walkabout.
Even the popular “Phakama Ramaphosa, ixesha lifikile (stand up Ramaphosa, the time/your time has arrived)” also found resonance among local shoppers and ANC supporters who hoisted posters and wore party T-shirts bearing his face.
So emboldened was Ramaphosa that he went into a local taxi rank speaking to and greeting local commuters.
The mall is surrounded by hostel dwellings which are an IFP stronghold.
Asked about the reception he and the ANC received, Ramaphosa said it was clear KwaZulu-Natal residents were pleased with what the ANC has achieved over the years.
“I’m really pleased to be here in KZN, the reception of the people of this province to the ANC is more than warm. It’s just accepting the role that the ANC has played and continues to play and you can just feel the heartbeat of the support for the ANC,” he said.
“So all over the province I think the ANC is ready to take the province by storm.”
Ramaphosa said he had not sensed any inclination towards tribalism in the time he and party leaders spent in the province.
“The issue of tribalism for me does not even begin to enter the process. People of KZN are part and parcel of South Africa, they are part of the great nation that we are building and the strength of the participation of the province of KZN in the whole scheme of South Africa is the wealth of diversity.”
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Video Courtesy of MYANC.