/ 26 April 2011

Zuma takes campaign message to Soweto

President Jacob Zuma visited Soweto on Tuesday, where he campaigned for the ANC ahead of the May 18 local government elections.

Thousands of African National Congress supporters rallied at Jabulani Mall in Soweto on Tuesday to listen to President Jacob Zuma, who is campaigning ahead of the May 18 local government elections.

Supporters dressed in ANC regalia waved flags and shouted Zuma’s name. A group of supporters were seen wearing T-shirts saying “I can’t ‘Cope’ without my ANC”.

Two double-decker buses were also being used to ferry supporters around the city.

Zuma began his trip around Soweto at the Hector Pieterson memorial, where he said it was very important to vote for a party that was going to win. Any other vote would be a “silent vote”.

“It [Cape Town] is so entrenched in apartheid. Die tyd het gekom [the time has come],” Zuma said.

He also visited Dube hostel and Nelson Mandela’s former home in Vilakazi Street, where ANC stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela led him and his entourage on a tour of the premises.

‘He has touched the lives of many people’
Meanwhile, Zuma has touched the lives of everyone in this nation because he appeals to everyday people, a supporter said during his ANC campaign in Soweto on Tuesday.

Councillors from Soweto said that the Maponya Mall was established only because of Zuma and the ANC.

“We are very happy that our president is here [in Soweto] … Maponya Mall is an ANC development,” councillor Vusisiwe Phiri said.

“He has touched the lives of many people in this country. Just look at this mall,” Phiri said.

“Before we had to go into town in order to shop and go to the movies; the ANC has delivered.”

Phiri was one of the councillors aboard two buses used to transport supporters around Soweto.

Ambe Special Masekobe, also a councillor, said the campaign brought back memories of the 1994 elections.

“This reminds me of the first time that I ever saw and heard a democracy.”

Masekobe said she had been following Zuma around Soweto since Tuesday morning. — Sapa