Inside Politics journalists Phuti Mosomane and Edward Mtsweni spoke to ordinary ANC members during the party’s 111th anniversary held at the Dr. Molemela Stadium on Sunday.
Thirty-three-year-old Shiburi Matimba travelled all the way from Giyani in Limpopo to attend the governing party’s 111th anniversary celebrations in Mangaung on Sunday.
She spend more than seven hours on the road to come join throngs of ANC rank and file to celebrate the party’s 111th anniversary.
“I came here to support President Cyril Ramaphosa and celebrate the birthday of the ANC. The President spoke very well on plans to ending loadshedding and creating jobs. I am confident that the ANC going forward will win the support of the people.”
Mangaung resident and member of the ANC Women’s League, Nthabiseng Tlhacoane, 38, said was happy that Ramaphosa is prioritising economic growth and job creation.
“I am happy with how things went. We are ready as members [of the ANC] to spread the word of hope to others in Free State.”
Charmaine Luleka, a 33 year-old Johannesburg member who has been in Mangaung since Thursday 5th was happy that her party managed to fill the 22-seater Dr. Molemela Stadium on Sunday.
“When I arrived here on Thursday, the morale was very low because factional battles across the province. But I am impressed that today the atmosphere is different. The stadium is packed.
She’s satisfied about the direction the party was taking under president Ramaphosa.
“I am very happy with the leadership. We will rally behind the newly elected leadership.”
Sizwe Phale [23] was at the ANC rally to sell the party’s merchandise to thousands of members.
“I am here to sell ANC merchandise as a small business. Its been few good days here in Mangaung because I was able to sell few products,” Phale said.
Renolo Serati from Klerksdorp in the North West said he was happy with the speech of the President.
“We have hope in the NEC that we just elected at the 55th National Conference,” Serati added.
Serati is hopeful that the ANC will do well in the upcoming general elections in 2024 under the leadership of Ramaphosa and newly elected ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula.
These members believe the ANC leadership is beginning to speak the language understood by the people.
Of major concern to many young people is lack of jobs, youth development and increasing levels of crime in many communities.
INSIDE POLITICS
