A furious thunderstorm interrupted President Thabo Mbeki’s canvassing for votes in Botshabelo, east of Bloemfontein, on Tuesday afternoon.
The thunderstorm, which cut short Mbeki’s visit to a shopping complex, happened just after lunch.
A fierce wind blew down an advertising hoarding and also blew away makeshift shelters used by hawkers at the centre.
Mbeki briefly stopped at the rain-soaked shopping centre where he spoke to the hawkers, shopkeepers and shoppers.
Just before 3pm, Mbeki left for Bloemfontein from where he flew back to Pretoria.
Mbeki visited Botshabelo, a Bloemfontein suburb with about one million people, in order to canvass for votes for the African National Congress in the upcoming general election.
During the morning he visited homeowners and shack dwellers and later moved on to a old-age home in another part of the township.
After a brief stop at the old-age home he went for a private lunch at the home of a local ANC member before making his way to the shopping centre.
When Mbeki’s election campaign kicked off in Botshabelo on Tuesday morning, he predicted that most residents would vote for him.
“Everyone must go out on April 14 and vote ANC,” Mbeki told a group of reporters huddled under umbrellas in the rain.
“As you can see the area is united behind the ANC. The people are happy because they are no longer forgotten. They will vote for the ANC, because they have experienced what government has done for them.”
While on his door-to-door campaign, a man asked the president for work.
“We will try to get you one,” he told Thabo Thokoe.
Sarah Rasondo (62) asked for materials rebuild her shack that was burnt down last year.
Former Azanian People Liberation Army cadre Pitso Moikume wanted to hand over a petition on behalf of some disgruntled ex-soldiers. He had come all the way from Sasolburg for the occasion.
Everywhere Mbeki went, he was received with enthusiasm, with huge crowds flocking around him.
Massive applause broke out when the president, dressed in a yellow ANC golf shirt, asked a woman who she would vote for.
“It’s my secret,” the woman told him.
The streets were flooded with school children. Mbeki waved and smiled at them before saying “there is no school today”. He then shook his head and walked to another home.
Everywhere ANC marshals had their hands full providing space for Mbeki and his entourage.
Smiling serenely over the melee, Mbeki’s posters have most of the township to themselves. Two Democratic Alliance posters showing leader Tony Leon in a black crowd are the only sign that Mbeki has opposition in the area. — Sapa
Special Report: Elections 2004