‘KZN residents are behind ANC’ — Mtolo

Ruling party prepares for final leg of its election campaign

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has hailed its mobilisation campaign a “resounding success”, as it prepares for the final leg of its election campaign.

ANC provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo (pictured) and other members of the party’s leadership met the organisation’s regional leaders and national executive committee (NEC) members yesterday as part of the final push to May 29.

Mtolo said it was all systems go for the ANC election campaign machinery.

“As we enter the last 40 days leading up to the Siyanqoba Rally and the national elections, the election machinery of the African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal is being oiled to ensure a resounding victory.

“ANC officials in KwaZulu-Natal are injecting energy into the election campaign,” he said.

The ANC, which in the 2019 general elections received 55,47% of the KZN vote, is facing a challenge from opposition parties ahead of the general elections.

According to recent election surveys, support for the ANC in KZN could drop to below 50% in the upcoming general elections.

Compounding the ANC election challenges was the fact that former president Jacob Zuma, who remains a popular political figure in KwaZulu-Natal, has turned against the ruling party, and is now leading the ANC’s splinter organisation, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP).

However, Mtolo said the ANC leadership’s recent interactions with KZN residents have shown that the majority of the province’s citizens were behind the ruling party.

“Months ago, we challenged ourselves to pass a major test. We undertook to run an intensive campaign that is deeply rooted on the ground and solution-driven.

“Throughout our interactions with voters through door-to-door campaigns, we have been teasing out and explaining the six priorities in the ANC manifesto.

“We can safely state that the people of KwaZulu-Natal have been listening to us and will respond favourably on May 29.

“We express our revolutionary appreciation to the traditional leaders, religious leaders, leaders of society, and ordinary members of society for the unbelievable expression of love for the ANC,” he said.

KwaZulu-Natal residents, Mtolo said, had faith in the ANC’s six priorities around job creation, education, health, infrastructure, economic empowerment and policing.