ANC ends campaign with huge S/Africa rally
Tens of thousands of people have attended a rally in support of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) in Johannesburg, as the country gears up for general elections on May 7.
The rally, dubbed Siyanqoba (we are going to win) on Sunday marked an end to the campaign trail of President Jacob Zuma and the ANC.
Addressing a packed crowd at the FNB stadium, Zuma said he was “ready to move South Africa forward.”
“South Africa is a better place than it was in 1994 thanks to the programmes and policies of the ANC,” Zuma said.
ANC supporters, many of whom had slept overnight outside the stadium, formed a sea of yellow as they came out in support of the party that led the movement against apartheid and has dominated politics since 1994’s historic elections.
ANC supporter Irene Masuku told Al Jazeera she had been an ANC supporter for the past three decades and was “here because the ANC is home.” The ANC has sought to woo voters by citing improvements in various sectors, including transport and power generation.
“Some successes have been made to produce infrastructure components locally. These include progress with the manufacture of busses, train coaches and locomotives solarwater heaters, condenser units for power stations and other equipment” Zuma said.
Another supporter, Jabulani Radebe, told Al Jazeera that despite the challenges, the ANC had improved lives across the spectrum.
South Africa has about 25 million registered voters who will head to the polls on May 7, its fifth democratic election since apartheid ended.
The ANC is expected to win but with a reduced majority.
President Zuma’s credibility has taken a hit since a report revealed that more than $20 million of state money was spent on upgrading his private rural home.