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Every vote counts in the general election

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Every vote counts in the general election

President Cryil Ramaphosa and Former president Jacob Zuma
President Cryil Ramaphosa and Former president Jacob Zuma

28th January 2019

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Since the weekend, there have been strong reaction on both Twitter and Facebook following questions raised around the attendance of the former Head of State, President Jacob Zuma of Kgoši Mampuru II annual commemoration day at the Sekwati sports ground in Mamone in Limpopo.

The comments which have largely been made by ANC and ordinary members of society comes weeks after we emerged from the most successful and very significant ANC Manifesto Launch which was preceded by January 8 Statement activities.

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The build-up activities, which were successfully executed by the ANC Provincial Executive Committee, saw President Cyril Ramaphosa, former President J.G Zuma and members of the National Executive Committee visiting regions and branches throughout the corners of KwaZulu-Natal.

This was not only historic but the involvement of ANC volunteers and ordinary members of communities in the activities bridged the gap between the organisation and members of the NEC.

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The enthusiasm with which they were received, as showed in photos posted on social media platforms, opened up the eyes of many who have been disillusioned by the daily bombardment against the ANC in our public media.

Seeing President Ramaphosa and former President Zuma together on the gravesite of the first President of the ANC John Langalibalele Dube re-ignited the spirits of activists, ex-combatants and ordinary people who have supported and voted for the ANC. Both leaders brought back hope and optimism.

In addition, judging by the huge attendance of the manifesto launch at Moses Mabhida Stadium, there is no shadow of a doubt that members of the public, who were feeling frustrated and disappointed by errors committed by some in both leadership and membership, have had their commitment to the ANC rekindled.

The manifesto launch was characterised by an incredible amount of unity and a strong spirit of comradeship. It was marked by sharp contrast to the predictions in the media of acrimony, division and booing of president Ramaphosa.

It should be noted that the ANC in KZN has always reiterated the support for the leadership elected in Nasrec and has been emphasising the need for close working together in the ANC, its leagues and allies.

The need to restore the discipline to ANC structures and the restoration of the values of the revolutionary movement, that has ensured its survival for almost a century, has always been underlined by the ANC PEC.  These lessons are important to all members of the ANC as we approach the national and provincial elections.

This is a period that the ANC should approach with humility, knowing fully well that it was the confidence of the people that placed the movement at the helm of the democratic South African state. This is a privilege any leader of the ANC, at any level, should never take for granted.

Critically, this period provides an opportunity for the ANC to look back at past achievements and assess the many challenges that lie ahead whilst, simultaneously, allowing ordinary members of society to evaluate the performance of the movement they elected into office with such an overwhelming majority back in 2014.

This is also the time for ANC members to assess the criticism levelled against their movement and critically evaluate - counter with facts, the promises that opposition parties are making to them.

Leaders will be expected to account collectively for their collective conduct and performance as well as the unacceptable conduct of the individual leaders which was not befitting the stature of an elected leader of this movement.  The entire leadership must take time to reflect on matters that are brought to them by the members of the public during door to door campaigns.

Looking back to the past elections, the ANC mounted a very energetic campaign in 2009 and was rewarded with massive voter support.

There was an increase from 48% to 62% in the national and provincial elections, making it the undisputed voice of the people in KZN. This was above the 60% that had been set by the Provincial leadership.

Importantly, the 75, 98% voter turn-out during elections in KZN in 2014, was an indication that the people of this province - Blacks, Indians, Whites and Coloureds did not only want to see this province achieve a better life for all, but they were also prepared to do whatever was necessary to ensure that KZN help South Africa to Move forward.

The provincial leadership understood the message that people wanted to see service delivery. They comprehended that the votes did not represent blind endorsement.

By and large, conditions of freedom and democracy mean that the ANC as a ruling party, representing the majority of the people of the country, has the responsibility to preside over the resources of the public to improve their lives.  This makes the poor people and the majority of all South Africans to be the main and the only focus for the ANC as the leading party in government.

Therefore, it is important for all members of the ANC to take seriously the task of holding accountable all leaders of the ANC occupying different structures within the state. The responsibility to ensure the ANC-led government delivers, lies in the hands of the ANC members primarily more than it does with opposition. This is how the ANC has approached governance in this province over the years.

The ANC runs an activist legislature that has strong oversight responsibility over the executive. It has created a platform for dialogue through sectoral parliaments for the people by hosting the senior citizens, youth, the disabled, women, workers in the legislature and open discussion with the leaders in government.

Former ANC premiers: Sbu Ndebele, Dr Zweli Mkhize, Senzo Mchunu and current premier Willies Mchunu have always opened lines of communication between themselves, as elected public representatives and leaders of political parties, in the legislature and outside the legislature.

This has improved communication and helped people to table matters for attention resulting in long-lasting solutions. The pace of service delivery has accelerated, as all petty political bickering has been put to an end.

While we do not have the date of the general elections, all ANC volunteers and all members must participate in door-to- door campaign and elicit concerns of the community. We need to popularize the ANC and correct all negative perceptions and encourage all to prepare to cast their vote for the People’s Movement of President Cyril Ramaphosa, Jacob Zuma, Kgalema Motlanthe, Thabo Mbeki, Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, and Inkosi Albert Luthuli.

Let us go and make history.

 

Ndabezinhle Sibiya - is the Head of Content and Knowledge Management in the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government Communications. He writes in his personal capacity.

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