/ 3 May 2011

The week that SA politics got dirty

The African National Congress and leader of the alliance pulled out all the stops on the weekend ahead of the local government elections on May 18 and took aim at opposition, in particular the Democratic Alliance. Here are a selection of quotes.

“Our people demand socioeconomic justice and they demand it now.” — ANC member of Parliament Winnie Madikizela-Mandela at a May Day rally in Atteridgeville.

“We can sort out the problems only if you vote for the ANC. Let’s vote and after that sort out all the problems.” — ANC president Jacob Zuma in Gugulethu on April 30.

“The first thing to do is build homes for our people in Constantia where government owns land.” — ANC mayoral candidate Tony Ehrenreich at a May Day rally in Athlone, Cape Town.

“There is a myth that the municipalities of the Western Cape are the most excellent … that it’s performing … In fact it’s the worst-run municipality. The DA is only looking after the rich people. There are lots of problems, but we can’t solve them because you are under the wrong municipality.” — Zuma in Gugulethu on April 30.

“Every time we have an election, there is a whole media industry that clicks into action, supporting anything that is anti-ANC, anti-alliance.” — South African Communist Party (SACP) secretary general Blade Nzimande at the May Day rally in Athlone.

“On May 18, we must declare that the time has come to free Cape Town and the Western Cape.” — ANC president Jacob Zuma, at the May Day rally in Athlone.

“The party is run by two stooges and a white madam. The boss lady. We all know who she is.” — Deputy minister of transport Jeremy Cronin, referring to the Democratic Alliance’s Helen Zille, at a May Day rally in De Aar.

“The elections provide an opportunity to make new choices that will take the province back to its proud non-racial and inclusive congress tradition. — Zuma at the May Day rally in Athlone.