Johannesburg - ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe has used the government’s child-support grant as a dangling carrot to canvass votes for his party.
On Wednesday Mantashe asked Ekurhuleni residents to vote for his party as the ANC was responsible for the maintenance of their children under 18.
Mantashe made the remarks while addressing a group of ANC supporters in Duduza, where he introduced the ANC Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Mzwandile Masina and three ward councillors in that municipal district.
He was addressing a mini- rally in Masechaba Park. People who came to listen to Mantashe were mostly women, some carrying babies on their backs.
Other children accompanied their parents to the rally. A group of pupils enjoying their school holidays continued to play soccer while Mantashe and his crew canvassed for votes.
He was accompanied by ANC Gauteng executive committee members Brian Hlongwa and Uhuru Moiloa.
Before claiming the ANC was “relieving” men who can’t maintain their own biological children, Mantashe said the ANC was not a “party of promises but commitments”.
“We are not like other parties, which come to you to give you promises. The ANC doesn’t make promises but commitments, that’s a big difference.
“We don’t say we promise you this and that. If we say we will build houses, you know that the ANC builds houses, and we can point them out.
“When we say we will give you electricity, you know the ANC does provide electricity. If we say we will connect water, the ANC does that.
“Each and every one will promise you heaven and earth, but we have the track record,” he said.
Mantashe, speaking in isiXhosa, later said the ANC was the only party that looked after children under the age of 18 because their fathers were failing to do their job.
This was in reference to the government support to unemployed and single parents with a R230 monthly child grant.
The ANC is pulling out all the stops to ensure it is returned to power in the metros, including Ekurhuleni, where it is facing a fierce contest from opposition parties.
“I can tell you that half of children under 18 years are maintained and supported by the ANC. Men are hurt because they can’t do their job.
“The ANC is maintaining and supporting their children. How can it not be voted for when it relieves men of their duty to maintain their children? Those children who go to school, half of them if not all go to no-fee schools. In addition, they are fed at school, so what else now?” Mantashe asked.
He urged ANC supporters to rally behind all ward councillor candidates and leave grievances with the process of nominating them behind.
Masina called on ANC supporters to be disciplined and to focus on the ANC’s campaign instead of disrupting other parties’ campaigning.
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The Star