Ramaphosa’s homies stick with ANC
Party hopes to retain ward in by-election
The ANC has pinned its hopes on President Cyril Ramaphosa to retain Ward 14 in Soweto, Johannesburg, during a municipal by-election yesterday.
The City of Johannesburg’s Ward 14, which is near Ramaphosa’s childhood home in Chiawelo and newly appointed Science and Technology Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, which includes Protea North.
The ward became vacant after ANC councillor Jabu Khanyi died last year.
Ward 14 had been an ANC ward for a long time, but opposition parties were adamant yesterday that they would wrestle the ANC from power.
But Loyiso Masuku, from the ANC’s regional task team in the Johannesburg region, said the ward was special.
“It is important because the president of the Republic comes from Johannesburg.”
Masuku said KubayiNgubane has been part of the ANC’s election campaign.
She said there was now a renewed sense of hope under the leadership of Ramaphosa.
“The renewed sense of hope is primarily because the ANC has listened to the people.”
This follows the resignation of former president Jacob Zuma after the ANC national executive committee asked him to step down.
Residents said they were giving Ramaphosa the benefit of the doubt.
Rachel Mahlamvu was among a group of residents who voted yesterday.
“We want to give him a chance. We don’t know for how long he will last.” The sentiment was shared by most of the residents.
Some residents shouted: “We are going with Buffalo” after casting their vote.
“Leaders come and go but the ANC remains,” said Kgabo Makobo. “We want to see Cyril improving our lives. We are giving the ANC the last chance.”
One resident said: “I will never vote for the ANC. They are tsotsis.”
In 2016 municipal elections, the ANC garnered 62% of the votes, the EFF followed with 18.6% and the DA 12.8%.
DA candidate Thami Mabhena said the ANC had just replaced a figurehead.
“But in essence the party remains the same. Voters have consistently been rejecting the ANC. I don’t see that changing,” Mabhena said.
He admitted, however, that the election of Ramaphosa could sway votes.
The EFF candidate for the ward, Sibusiso Ndaba, said the outcome of the by-election was going to surprise many people.
“There is going to be a surprise. Let’s wait and see. Cyril does not live here. He does not know the issues of people here.”
The results of the by-election are expected today.