NELSPRUIT – “The 1913 Land Act and the resultant dispossessions are directly related to our current problems of poverty, unemployment and inequality.” These are the words of president Jacob Zuma announced at the launch of the ANC’s election at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
Approximately 50 000 ANC supporters attended the event. The gates had to be closed during the launch as the stadium had exceeded its full capacity.
Zuma said there was wide-spread acknowledgement that the “willing buyer, willing seller” principle had not been successful and it was being replaced with the section 25 of the Constitution.
“We call on our public representatives to finalize the legislation meant to speed up expropriation of land in public interest.”
Zuma also announced that a tender board would be established to adjudicate tenders in all spheres of government.
“We are now changing the tender system, which has been such a big problem in our country.”
“Public servants and public representatives will be prohibited from doing business with the state.”
He said ANC members and public representatives who were found guilty would be expected to step down from their positions. The party would also continue to fight crime and police capacity would be increased.
Zuma said all ANC members had to recommit themselves to the notion of serving the people. “This ANC has the experience and drive to move this country forward.”
Click here to view the gallery of the ANC’s manifesto launch.
