Despite having expressed discontent about the state of the ANC, former party president Thabo Mbeki championed the governing party on the campaign trail.
Anastasia Dube and Lawrence Xaba greet former president Thabo Mbeki at Jabulani Mall in Soweto on 25 April 2024.
Many residents chanted his name. Others just wanted a handshake from the former president, who was surrounded by his security detail at all times. Thabo Mbeki addresses ANC supporters at Jabulani Mall in Soweto on 25 April 2024. Referring to Phala Phala, Mbeki said: “None of the questions has been answered”.
The ANC is determined not to slip beneath the 57.5% it obtained in 2019, and with just over a month until the elections, a key aspect of the party’s campaign is deploying senior leaders to mobilise its base.Constance Pogiso, a resident of the Snake Park informal settlement in Soweto was there to meet Mbeki.
“It is a vote of confidence for the ANC. I am a leader that is given the mandate by the people and majority of the people in Soweto. Whether Twitter loves it or not, the people of Soweto love the ANC. I cannot go west and then the people go east; I must lead them to where they want to be. Where I am standing, it looks like victory for the ANC.
Independent elections analyst Wayne Sussman said, “Soweto is the largest township in South Africa. It’s also got major historical importance and it is where President Ramaphosa votes — and many leaders in society will be voting there also. I know some think Mbeki was one of the worst, but I disagree. Then again some of those people also think apartheid wasn’t the worst thing that happened to SA. So they’re you go. I admit Mr Mbeki made some terrible awful judgement calls. But he made some good ones too. Even president Mandela’s judgement is questioned today, especially by the young.
The most that could have happened with Mbeki is that he would have stayed out of the limelight, but the ANC would still have been sounding him out.“the people in power are the ones who are destroying the party with their corruption and money laundering. But what can we do? It is our party.”
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