Johannesburg - African National Congress heavyweights were starting to arrive for the party's Siyabonga celebration party at the Library Gardens park.
Among those who had arrived by 8pm were Paul Mashatile, Jackson Mthembu, Nomvula Mokonyane and Cosatu president Sidumo Dlamini. They were waving flags and dancing next to the stage.
The thousands in the crowd were also dancing with hands waving in the air. The chilly weather did not deter the jovial mood and festivities. President Jacob Zuma was expected to address the crowd later
Earlier Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane stuck to her guns and maintained she never said residents of Bekkersdal should stay with their dirty votes.
She said despite no proof of her uttering the words, she still saw it fit to apologise to residents. “Irrespective of people claiming that I said those things and without proof, I apologised,” she told reporters during the victory celebration.
“What I'm hearted with is that people of Bekkersdal, (west of Johannesburg) put the ANC above everything else.”
Mokonyane was accused of telling residents of Bekkersdal they could keep their dirty votes following clashes in the area.
She was reported to have said the ANC did not need their votes. She later issued a statement apologising.
Speaking about the victory, she said she was humbled by the support South Africans showed towards the party during the election. “We are here to celebrate the landslide victory. Remember 11 million people voted for the ANC, there is a reason to celebrate,” she said. Asked about her political future, a cautious Mokonyane said her next move would be decided by the party. - Sapa