ANC adamant about retaining Limpopo munis

There exists no doubt in the mind of the African National Congress (ANC) in Limpopo that they would claim every possible contested seat in the local government elections.
This was evident from pronouncements in the run-up and during the ANC’s provincial Siyanqoba rally that attracted a crowd of an estimated 40 000 supporters to Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday. Translated from Zulu, the meaning thereof already reflects on expectations for a ruling party win elsewhere and also in the province once results are out following voting on 3 August.
Already when addressing a presser in the city on Friday afternoon, ANC Provincial Secretary Nocks Seabi summarised what stands to be a fierce battle for council seats in a hot contest a fortnight from now by predicting that the ruling party was going to take all wards and municipalities in Limpopo.
Also from stage at what was termed as the “mother of all rallies” on Sunday, the same assurance was given by ANC Limpopo Deputy Chairperson Jerry Ndou who acted as programme director at the gathering.
When taking to the podium in an address to the masses at Sunday’s event, ANC Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa predicted an overall win by pronouncing “We expect an overwhelming victory not because we have a sense of arrogance. We are confident that we will succeed because our confidence derives from the trust and the respect that our movement enjoys from the millions of our people. The confidence because the ANC respects and also trusts our people.” By listing what he called the phenomenal work the ruling party had done throughout the country as well as future undertakings, he continued saying they were not an organisation of dreams but delivered. He added that they have gone a long way to ensure the ideals of the Freedom Charter were achieved.
He referred to the ANC having decided that all their councillors would be signing performance agreements with the organisation. Those who were going to become a law unto themselves were not ANC councillors, and they wanted councillors who would humble themselves and work for their people with great humility, Ramaphosa said. He lay down the rules when stressing they didn’t want councillors who were going to be boastful, show off or corrupt and steal money. In the next five years they would monitor the performance of their councillors, who would have integrity, be honest, trusted, dedicated and on call 24 hours, he stressed. “After the 3rd of August all our local government structures – our municipalities – which the ANC would have won – and we’re going to win all the municipalities right across the country will be operating at the very top gear. We do want to continue putting our people first.” They wanted to deliver better and more efficient services to all their people and that was why their councillors would commit themselves to serving with diligence and integrity, he indicated.
The stadium came to life late morning when a host of A-list musicians – including Winnie Mashaba and Chomee – entertained the crowds trickling into the stadium until the arrival of Ramaphosa, who was the main speaker in the absence of ANC President Jacob Zuma having been the draw card. Ramaphosa was accompanied by ANC Limpopo Chairperson Stan Mathabatha and a host of members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ANC in traversing the pitch to greet their audience before ascending the stage. With the rally the ANC pulled out all stops, sparing no dime to entertain their supporters from across all five regions of the province.
It was afterwards learnt that two buses carrying supporters home were reportedly involved in a crash in the vicinity of Sekgopo village along the R81 route. No fatalities were recorded and several passengers have sustained minor injuries, according to Provincial Police spokesperson Moatshe Ngoepe.

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

Featured photo: ANC Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa greets a hyped up crowd upon arrival at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday.