Refreshing to see leadership change at ANC’s 107th anniversary
HAVING attended the ANC 107th anniversary rally in Durban as an ordinary citizen, it was refreshing to see the leadership change to Cyril Ramaphosa from Jacob Zuma.
Ramaphosa will by and large not negatively affect the outcomes for the governing party.
ANC security were on duty, and the visible police presence was minimal.
Bear in mind that for Ramaphosa the stakes were high as he was in Zuma’s home base and anything negative would have been a dent to his campaign.
Zuma is still popular within the rank and file. Vote-wise, in KwaZulu-Natal the ANC may take a slight dip but this should be more than compensated for nationally.
Walking to the stadium, it was amazing to see how a number of vendors have created various ANC paraphernalia with one even “selling” ANC tattoos. Even our street entrepreneurs have discovered a viable business opportunity at these rallies.
The audience’s reaction when Ahmed Timol was honoured with an award was touching.
As for KZN, the message from MEC Sihle Zikalala was unity – my only question is at what cost? From his tone, one could sense a shift of support away from Zuma.
Ramaphosa made good points in his message, and one that stood out was about inefficient and ineffective public servants. He also highlighted a land claim settlement which for nine years was collecting dust until his intervention – and in six months this was settled.
This is a serious indictment on the flaws of the Zuma administration and may be a good point to note why new leadership was needed.
Overall the event was safe and being one of the very few (less than five) whose ancestors were not African, I can clearly vouch that not once, even while walking home, was I worried about my safety.
Compliments go to the participants, organisers and security team.
The event was well organised and for the ANC, other political parties and the country, the election season officially began at the stadium.