South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized the accomplishments of the African National Congress (ANC), which has governed the nation throughout its entire 30 years of democracy, as it heads into a tightly contested election in May.
Ramaphosa presented the party’s manifesto to a large gathering of ANC supporters at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. The event occurred against the backdrop of escalating challenges in South Africa, including poverty, unemployment, crime, and a severe electricity shortage.
The stadium was filled with supporters adorned in the ANC’s signature yellow, green, and black attire, singing praise songs for Ramaphosa and the party. Some seized the opportunity to sell food, drinks, and party merchandise to the attendees.
Before Ramaphosa’s arrival, a procession of motorcycles with riders waving ANC flags entertained the crowd. However, tensions surfaced as some supporters displayed a mock coffin bearing the name of the uMkhonto we Sizwe political party, a new entity formed by former ANC president Jacob Zuma, who has distanced himself from the ANC.
In a bid to showcase strength, the ANC bussed in thousands of supporters from various regions to ensure an early fill-up of the stadium. The event featured popular musicians and concluded with ANC chants, colorful fireworks, and confetti.
Nevertheless, the focus remains on whether the ANC can fulfill its promises and tackle the country’s myriad challenges, including stagnant economic growth, escalating poverty, unemployment, crime, and the electricity crisis. Ramaphosa outlined plans to generate over 2.5 million job opportunities in the next five years, with a shift towards cleaner energy sources to address climate change concerns.
Ramaphosa dismissed opposition parties seeking to unseat the ANC, asserting the party’s pivotal role in driving South Africa forward. The ANC’s manifesto attributes various challenges to factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the electricity crisis, global political tensions, unrest in July 2021, and climate change.
While the ANC highlights economic growth since 1994 and ongoing social welfare initiatives, the upcoming elections are anticipated to be fiercely contested. Opposition parties have launched their manifestos, pledging job creation and solutions to the electricity crisis. Coalition formations may emerge if the ANC fails to secure over 50% of the national vote.
