Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma boldly proclaimed on Tuesday that the ruling party would continue to have a stranglehold on Gauteng in the run-up to the local government elections.
Zuma led the ruling party’s door to door campaign in the townships of Hammanskraal, Winterveld and Atteridgeville.
This came against the backdrop of violence that erupted in the capital city following the announcement by the ANC of Thoko Didiza as the City of Tshwane’s mayoral candidate.
Zuma maintained that Gauteng was the stronghold of the ANC as this was where the ruling party’s headquarters were located.
“Based on that factor, it would not make sense for us to not govern Gauteng. This would mean that we, as the biggest political organisation, would have to be under the leadership of smaller parties. That cannot happen,” he said. “Gauteng belongs to the ANC.
“Because of that, we want to win by a big margin in order for us to make even bigger contributions to the quality of people’s lives. Your duty is to vote for the ANC for us to see that objective being achieved,” he said.
During his address to the communities of Hammanskraal and Winterveld, Zuma took a swipe at opposition parties, telling people that it would be ill-advised to vote for independent candidates and parties formed by individuals who were once members of the ruling party.
“We know how other organisations were formed.
“I can tell you that this one was derived from the ANC, while this one was formed by someone who was bitter because he was expelled from the ANC. Another one was formed by someone who was a soldier. He grew upset, and formed a party that I cannot recall what it’s name is - he used to be a general,” Zuma told the roaring crowd.
Addressing the media, Zuma said he was pleased with the reception that he and other ANC leaders received in the townships. “Since I arrived and interacted with the communities, the mood is absolutely exciting, vibrant and people (are) very clear where we did door to door. People were able to express themselves about what they believe are the things that still have to be done,” said Zuma.
He acknowledged that there were still challenges that needed to be addressed such as those of youth unemployment and the scourge of drug abuse in the city. “But fortunately, the City of Tshwane has plans, including a budget, to deal with many of those that were said to have been put in place. That’s what was pleasing.”
Earlier in the day, Zuma was patted and kissed on the head by 76-year-old Evelyn Malemela from Hammanskraal before pleading with the president to resolve the issue of youth unemployment.
“Mr Zuma I’m glad you came to see us and we are glad we have houses, but we don’t have tarred roads and our children don’t work,” said Malemela. “Please create work opportunities for our children.”
“Our children have finished school and they are sending CVs but they are not finding jobs.
“With the money I get for my grant I can provide for my family but I don’t have anyone helping me, because my child doesn’t work,” she said.
Pretoria News