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JOHANNESBURG. — South Africans go to the polls on Wednesday. Below is a summary of yesterday’s campaigning by various political parties:
Vibrant, exciting campaign for ANC: Zuma
The ANC has had an exciting and vibrant campaign ahead of this year’s general elections, President Jacob Zuma said at the party’s Siyanqoba rally in Soweto yesterday.
“We have gathered here today . . . . to declare to the country and the world at large, that the ANC is ready to move South Africa forward,” he told thousands of supporters at the FNB Stadium.
“ANC leaders and volunteers have visited every corner of the country in the past few weeks, humbly engaging our people.”
Zuma said the African National Congress was concluding its campaign on a high note and there was a lot to be proud of.
Earlier, Zuma received a warm welcome when he arrived at the 95 000-seater stadium which was filled to capacity. ANC supporters cheered as he walked up to the stage both hands raised, smiling and waving. The last time he addressed a crowd at the FNB stadium he was booed. During his address yesterday, Zuma went through a number of the party’s achievements in government over the past 20 years and in particular the last five.
“The people have told us that South Africa is a much better place to live in now than it was before 1994, thanks to the programmes and policies of the ANC,” he said.
“At the same time, they identified areas of concern and told us where we need to improve, as we deliver a better life for all.”
“We are one nation, born out of the ashes of racial oppression. We are building a common identity. We sing one national anthem, fly one flag and embrace our cultural diversity.”
EFF: South Africans liberated themselves
The Economic Freedom Fighters’ Gauteng premier candidate Dali Mpofu said yesterday no political party liberated South Africans.
“Nobody liberated you. The people of South Africa liberated themselves,” Mpofu told thousands of supporters at the party’s Tshela Thupa rally in Atteridgeville, Pretoria. “Don’t be told by any organisation that they liberated you. Expect no favours from the media. The revolution will not be televised. It is in our hearts.”
Meanwhile, the Lucas “Masterpieces’” Moripe stadium in Atteridgeville, Pretoria erupted into jubilation and cheers yesterday when EFF leader Julius Malema arrived.
Thousands cheered as he walked around the pitch waving to his followers.A light aircraft flew in the vicinity of the stadium with a Democratic Alliance banner urging people to vote for the DA on 7 May, as Malema was busy with his walk about.
Maimane: DA buses damaged in ANC ambushes
Gauteng police yesterday confirmed reports that buses carrying Democratic Alliance supporters to a rally in Kliptown, Soweto, were stoned.
The DA’s Gauteng candidate Mmusi Maimane said in a statement that hundreds of DA members were being interviewed by police.
He said the buses were damaged in “ANC ambushes”.
Three buses were stoned, two of them severely, in Alexandra and near the FNB Stadium in Soweto where the ANC was holding its rally. The FNB Stadium is about 15km away from the Walter Sisulu Square.
Maimane said: “One bus was so heavily stoned that it is no longer usable.” Brigadier Neville Malila said: “We received a report that there were two buses stoned on their way to Kliptown”. — Sapa.
Online Reporter