NEWS- South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has highlighted the achievements of his African National Congress, which has ruled the country for all its 30 years of democracy, as it heads into a tight race in May’s general election.
President Ramaphosa delivered the party’s manifesto to thousands of ANC supporters at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday and the rally came as South Africa faces increasing poverty, unemployment and crime and a crippling electricity crisis.
Party supporters dressed in yellow, green and black, the party regalia, packed the stadium and sang struggle songs praising Ramaphosa and the ANC, while others took advantage of the event to sell food, refreshments and party merchandise to the thousands attending.
A procession of motorbikes with bikers waving African National Congress flags was among the first displays to entertain the crowd before Ramaphosa arrived to the delight of supporters.
However, the tension surrounding this year’s elections was laid bare when some supporters entered the stadium grounds carrying a caricature coffin bearing the name of the uMkhonto we Sizwe political party, a new political organization formed by former ANC President Jacob Zuma whose new the party is set to compete in this year’s elections after Zuma denounced the African National Congress (ANC).
In what has become somewhat of a popularity contest between parties to show who can pull in the biggest crowds to their election rallies, thousands of ANC supporters were bussed in from various parts of the country to ensure the stadium was full as early as possible.
The African National Congress also brought in popular musicians to entertain supporters, and they performed after Ramaphosa’s speech, concluding with African National Congress slogans and colorful fireworks.
Additional Reporting from Associated Press
