Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-02-25 10:34:28
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa showcased the accomplishments of the African National Congress (ANC) during the party’s 30th year of ruling the nation as they prepare for the upcoming election in May. Ramaphosa presented the party’s manifesto to a massive crowd of ANC supporters at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. The rally took place amidst the backdrop of escalating poverty, unemployment, crime, and a severe electricity crisis plaguing South Africa.
The stadium was filled with enthusiastic party supporters dressed in yellow, green, and black ANC attire, singing songs praising Ramaphosa and the ANC. Additionally, vendors took advantage of the event to sell food, drinks, and party merchandise to the thousands in attendance. The atmosphere was festive, with a procession of motorbikes waving ANC flags and entertaining the crowd before Ramaphosa’s arrival, which was met with joyous cheers from supporters.
However, the political tension surrounding this year’s elections was palpable as some supporters carried a mock coffin labeled with the name of the uMkhonto we Sizwe political party, a new organization founded by former ANC president Jacob Zuma. This new party is set to compete in the upcoming elections after Zuma’s falling out with the ANC.
In a bid to draw large crowds to their election rallies, the ANC bussed in thousands of supporters from different parts of the country to ensure the stadium was filled to capacity early on. The party also featured popular musicians who performed after Ramaphosa’s speech, culminating in ANC slogans and a colorful display of fireworks and confetti.
Amidst the fervor of the rally, the focus remains on whether the ANC can fulfill its promises and tackle the myriad challenges facing South Africa. These challenges include economic stagnation, increasing poverty levels, unemployment, crime, and the debilitating electricity crisis leading to power blackouts.
Ramaphosa outlined the ANC’s plan to create over 2.5 million job opportunities in the next five years, with a shift towards cleaner energy sources to drive economic growth. He emphasized the importance of a just transition to a greener future that could generate new jobs and enhance the country’s export competitiveness.
Dismissing opposition parties aiming to overthrow the ANC, Ramaphosa asserted, “We are the only organization that can take South Africa forward.” The ANC manifesto attributes the country’s challenges to various factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the electricity crisis, global conflicts, civil unrest, and climate change.
As South Africa gears up for the hotly contested elections, opposition parties have also unveiled their manifestos pledging to address issues like job creation and resolving the electricity crisis. The ANC faces the possibility of forming a coalition if they receive less than 50% of the national vote, indicating a potentially turbulent political landscape post-election.
In conclusion, South Africa’s upcoming elections promise to be a pivotal moment for the nation, with political parties making ambitious promises to address the country’s pressing issues. The ANC, under Ramaphosa’s leadership, is vying to retain its position and deliver on its commitments to uplift the nation and steer it towards a brighter future.
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