African National Congress deputy president Jacob Zuma received a hero’s welcome while campaigning for the upcoming local government election on the outskirts of Pietermaritzburg on Saturday.
Zuma, who visited homes and addressed a few gatherings, had the crowds ululating and urging him to sing his trademark song Leth’umshini Wami (Bring My Machine Gun) at his every stop.
He told community members to vote for the ANC, saying it is the only party that can give them a better life.
Zuma, who spoke to a few elderly people, heard complaints of poor sanitation, poverty and the high rate of unemployment.
”We do have electricity, but we have a water problem. The water comes out of the taps brown,” 60-year-old Christina Mkhize said.
Zuma spent a few minutes alone with Mkhize in her home in Esinathingi. She said he told her the ANC respects her problems, but solving them will take time.
Glenda Hlophe (72) complained bitterly that she does not have running water or a toilet at her Esmero house. ”People are elected, but we don’t get anything,” she said.
Mhlengi Nxele (30), from Esigodini, said: ”I have two children but I don’t have a job.”
Zuma, who was accompanied by ANC Youth League president Fikile Mbalula and ANC Women’s League secretary general Bathabile Dlamini, ended his campaign trail at Wadley Stadium where a group of children fell over each other while trying to squash through a gate to get on to a field. There were a few tears but nobody was injured.
Zuma told hundreds of people at the stadium not to vote for independent candidates as they do not have their needs at heart.
Zuma, who spent much of his time discussing these candidates, told reporters they do not pose a threat to the ANC. ”Those who think they are bigger than the ANC are lost. They are sick and need help.”
He said South Africa should not trust someone who had left the ANC because they lost a position in the party. If members think there is a problem within the ANC, they should remain in the party and fix the problem from within.
He told the crowds of all ages they will be blessed on Earth and in heaven if they vote for the ANC on March 1.
Dlamini said the problem with bringing an independent candidate to power is that the community cannot report such candidates to anyone as they do not belong to a party.
Dlamini, who told the gathering about how the ANC decided that at least 50% of its local government councillors would be women, said women are the ”powerhouse of delivery”.
She said this quota is not a handout, as women have worked for it.
Mbalula said opposition parties only spend their time criticising the ANC and give no suggestions of what they would do to uplift communities.
”The IFP [Inkatha Freedom Party] has only oppressed our people with their bantustan in Ulundi. How can you be represented by a party that only has interest in one portion of the province?” he said.
He said that when the IFP ruled the province, there was no development. ”The ANC is undoing the wrongs they did in the past.” — Sapa