ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula declared it’s all systems go for the ruling party’s final Siyanqoba rally in Soweto on Saturday.
Addressing the media on Thursday he said tens of thousands of people are expected to fill up the FNB Stadium and this will send a message of confidence and hope.
“Over the course of the last three months, we have seen a clear shift in the mood of the country. People are increasingly expressing their confidence in the ANC, under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa, to build the economy and create jobs, to improve service delivery, to crack down on corruption and to unite the people of South Africa,” he said.
As part of the build-up to the rally, Ramaphosa will be hosting a gathering in Sandton on Friday evening – an ANC Siyanqoba Endorsement Event, where dignitaries and guests from various sectors will endorse and pledge their vote for the ANC.
A symbolic handover of the FNB stadium will also be held on Friday with a march led by ANC Gauteng secretary general TK Nciza.
Mbalula’s optimism about the expected turnout at the stadium and the number of votes the ANC will poll during the elections contradict a latest Ipsos poll that has placed the ANC performance in the upcoming elections at 40.2% with the DA at 21.9%, EFF at 11% and the MK party at 8%.
According to the poll, only 38% of voters believe that the party will live up to its promises.
However, Mbalula is unfazed by this and said the support for the ANC has been steadily increasing. “While we are confident of a decisive mandate, we know that this election is not won until the voting stations close on Wednesday 29 May.”
Mbalula said over the course of the last three months, every ANC leader, veteran, volunteer, and candidate has been on the ground, speaking to ordinary South Africans about their concerns and hopes, about the achievements of democracy, and about the work that the government needs to do together to continue to improve the lives of all people.
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