By Simon Nare
President Cyril Ramaphosa has named six areas his new administration will prioritize if the ANC retained power as the governing party in the upcoming elections.
In a final push to woe voters just days before the Wednesday elections, Ramaphosa told the crowd at the Siyanqoba rally at the FNB Stadium in Soweto that party leaders and volunteers have been traversing the length and breath of the country.
In these interactions during door to door and community meetings, Ramaphosa said the party leaders and agents have heard the cries and concerns of the people.
To address these, Ramaphosa said if re-elected, the new administration will focus on identified key areas such as job creation, building industries, tackling the high cost of living, investing in people, defending democracy and advancing as well as building capital.
The president did not spell out the jobs plan or any of the priorities regarding jobs, he said the party has a plan in place in the model of Gauteng’s initiative “Nansi ispani” which, he said, was being rolled out to other provinces.
“Throughout this campaign, in homes, in workplaces and in streets, in villages, townships and suburbs we have met mothers and fathers, grandparents and young people.
“So many told us of their struggles to find work and to provide for their families with dignity and pride.
“Many told us how grateful they were for the social grants that support their children and the R350 that puts bread on the table in these times of extreme hardship.
“But they also spoke to us about their yearning to work to contribute to building their families and communities,” said Ramaphosa.
He addressed how the government will fight crime in what, he said, is a lawlessness society and he further committed the government to building people houses.
Despite the low turnout at the stadium in what should have been a show of force ahead of the polls, Ramaphosa remained confident that the party will emerge victories.
He said the provincial structures have promised him that there is a majority of support in their areas. He said Limpopo promised 85% while Mpumalanga, Gauteng and KZN predicted a 75% victory.
But the numbers at the stadium spoke of a contrasting picture. The province did not pack the 90 000 capacity which could be interpreted as a snub for the governing party.
On the surface Ramaphosa seemed unfazed by the low turnout or by people leaving as he was speaking. He used the opportunity to take a swipe at his former comrade and MK Party leader Jacob Zuma, saying he was the one who left the party, resisted change and established a fake MK.
He called upon those in the stadium to spread the message – “and one message only: first ballot paper: #VoteANC second ballot paper: #VoteANC third ballot paper: #VoteANC.”
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