Parties in top gear for the final big sell

It is all systems go for South Africa's fifth local government elections, an election that could change the face of politics in South Africa.

It is all systems go for South Africa's fifth local government elections, an election that could change the face of politics in South Africa.

Published Jul 31, 2016

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Durban - It is all systems go for South Africa’s fifth local government elections, an election that could change the face of politics in South Africa.

For the first time since democracy, the ANC, faces the real possibility of not getting outright majorities in three metropoles - Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape and Johannesburg and Tshwane in Gauteng. They’re expected to lose in Cape Town and reduce their support throughout the country.

This includes eThekwini where they last won more than 62 percent of the vote.

This time, the party is divided. Infighting has at times turned violent with 12 people (all ANC members) having been killed.

However, police believe they have the situation under control. According to Lietuentant Colonel Thulani Zwane, additional manpower has been brought in from other provinces. A few hot spots have been identified but police believe they are ready to deal with any eventuality.

On the last weekend before the elections parties wrapped up their campaigns to woo South Africa’s 26 million plus voters, 5.4 million of whom live in KZN.

Just under 11 000 candidates will battle it out for 1846 seats in various local municipalities in KZN.

On Sunday ANC president Jacob Zuma will address the party faithful at Ellis Park in Joburg. The address will be streamed live to five other provinces, including KZN’s Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

ANC spokesman Zizi Kodwa was “overconfident” the party would do well.

“The ANC will win convincingly in the elections. Today you will see that the stadiums will be packed to capacity because people still believe in the ANC.”

On Saturday the provincial chairman of the ANC in KZN, Sihle Zikalala, campaigned in Nkandla, Zuma’s home town. It is currently held by the IFP.

“We want to take over Zululand and we are working hard on the ground and the reception from people has been good,” he said.

The IFP was unfazed. Party leader, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, addressed his supporters a short distance away and said: “We know how desperate our opponents are to take Nkandla away from the IFP. But we also know the strength of the partnership between the IFP and Nkandla. It’s a partnership built on trust, and it won’t easily be shaken.”

DA leader Mmusi Maimane has criss-crossed South Africa trying to drum up support. On Saturday, he was in Dobsonville stadium in Soweto for the party’s final rally.

In KZN, the provincial chairman and eThekwini mayoral candidate of the DA, Haniff Hoosen, visited several parts of the city, including Phoenix.

Hoosen faces stiff competition from the ANC’s Zandile Gumede, who yesterday was at a prayer for peaceful elections in Waterloo, near Verulam.

Political analysts believe that while the DA may not win a majority, they are likely to win more seats than the 43 they currently hold.

Hoosen said: “This is going to a the most historic election since 1994 as there has been a significant decline in the ANC and voters are standing up for change and want to see a difference in our country. We are urging people to use their power as voters to effect meaningful change on Wednesday”.

While Economic Freedom Fighters’ leader Julius Malema has galvanised support in some parts of the country, the party has been more subdued in KZN.

The party, which is contesting its first local government elections, will round off its campaign tomorrow with a rally in Malema’s home province of Limpopo.

Party secretary-general Godrich Gardee said the “fighters” would surprise many at the polls. “We are going to win wards and we are going to win municipalities,” he said.

Meanwhile the Minority Front will today wrap up its campaign in Chatsworth, home of its founder Amichand Rajbansi.

The party’s eThekwini mayoral candidate, Jonathan Annipen was optimistic.

Independent political analyst, Dr Bheki Mngomezulu, said political parties seemed not to understand what local government elections were about.

“They used senior party officials to do the campaigning but what they should have done was allowed councillors to campaign themselves.”

He also believed that candidates charmed the electorate with promises that would never materialise.

The Sunday Tribune

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