ANC takes campaign to Malema home turf

The past months have seen the African National Congress (ANC) and its structures in the province stepping up on feverishly campaigning before the local government elections on 3 August. In addition to the numerous blitzes, walk-abouts, church visits, stakeholder engagements and mini-rallies across the five regions they also made their presence known on Economic Freedom Fighters Commander-in-Chief (EFF CIC) Julius Malema’s home turf in Seshego.
On Friday the ANC’s Milo Malatjie branch in Seshego’s Zone 1 held a rally for the elderly in a park in the area, targeting more than 1 500 senior citizens in Ward 13. Before the start of the official programme Milo Malatjie Branch Chairperson Boy Mamabolo led a delegation of leaders, including ANC Provincial Chairperson Stan Mathabatha, to the house of 103-year-old Elizabeth Ntjie elsewhere in the neighbourhood. During the visit Ntjie, who will be casting a special vote in the elections, received party regalia. Her granddaughter, Margaret Ntjie, said other than having lost the sight in her left eye and backache her grandmother was in good health. Until recently her grandmother had believed a certain brand of South African beer kept her strong, she quipped. Since the previous day Koko Ntjie had looked forward to Mathabatha’s visit with great excitement, Margaret said. Upon Mathabatha’s departure she raised the issue of her grandmother’s house urgently requiring renovation with ANC Peter Mokaba Regional Deputy Chairperson John Mpe, who gave an undertaking that work should be starting this week. Mpe is also mayoral candidate for Capricorn District.
Around the same time South African Communist Party (SACP) Provincial Secretary Gilbert Kganyago and Polokwane PR Councillor Johanna Kaka joined party representatives in Motinti village en route to Moletjie for a door-to-door campaign. Thereafter they reconvened at a community hall in Mmotong for the Chris Hani Red Brigade launch as part of the structure’s local government election programme in support of ANC victory.
On Sunday Mpe was also present when the Mphogodiba branch of the ANC introduced him to the masses attending a rally at Mankgaile Primary School in the Ga-Molepo area as the party’s mayoral candidate for Capricorn District Municipality, alongside Thembi Nkadimeng for Polokwane Municipality and councillor candidates representing the party in the upcoming elections. According to Mphogodiba Branch Secretary Charles Molepo, who is an ANC councillor candidate for Ward 4 in Polokwane, referred to Mpe hailing from Mamatsha, one of 12 villages resorting under their branch.
On the weekend the ANC converged on the Mopani and Sekhukhune regions for mini-rallies as part of a three-day programme also held in Vhembe and Waterberg, before finally focussing on Peter Mokaba region this week.
At the crack of dawn on Tuesday ANC National Chair Baleka Mbete joined the ANC in Limpopo’s campaign trail starting with a blitz at Polokwane taxi rank before being briefed on electioneering matters by representatives of the ruling party in the province. She was scheduled to remain in the province for a three-day programme of, among others, door-to-doors and engagements with stakeholders expected to conclude today (Thursday).
With their provincial Siyanqoba rally scheduled to be held at Peter Mokaba Stadium mid-morning on Sunday, the ANC in Limpopo is expected to end off months of electioneering. President Jacob Zuma is expected to deliver the keynote address at the event.

Story and photos: YOLANDE NEL
>>observer.yolande@gmail.com

Featured photo: Premier Stan Mathabatha visits 103-year-old Elizabeth Ntjie with party regalia in Seshego’s zone 1 on Friday afternoon.