Residents of eThekwini have expressed mixed opinions about the African National Congress (ANC) as it celebrates its 113rd anniversary today.
While some say the party has done a great job since coming to power in 1994, others argue that over the years the party has lost its values, which led to its disastrous result in the 2024 general election. There are some too.
These residents are calling on the party to end nepotism and focus on creating more jobs while addressing service delivery issues.
“I'm not interested in politics, but what I can say is that the ANC has done a lot for this country and has been active since the Mandela era.”
“I am happy that we are celebrating our 113th anniversary, but as a member of the ANC, I am also dissatisfied. Before we and our children got jobs, they were doing well and we were working too, but now… The situation is different.”
“It’s a good thing they’ve been around for so long, even though there are now a lot of complaints and a lot of gaps in service delivery.”
ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa was in Cape Town to celebrate the party's birthday.
Meanwhile, Mpumalanga residents share mixed opinions about the party's performance in national politics.
Some expressed gratitude to the party for achieving freedom for the country, while others called on the ANC to improve service delivery to regain public trust.
“When I hear the name ANC, I feel like I hear my mother's name, because I love my mother. It doesn't matter. Well, it's up to the ANC how they deal with them, but for me I like the ANC, because I'm here because of the ANC.”
“I think they will regain support. They have to improve employment opportunities and the needs of young people. Young people are unemployed and just sitting at home. They are suffering in their communities. We vote all the time, but in vain because there are a lot of people who are. Only those who are connected to people in high positions get jobs, and those of us who voted just go home. I’m just sitting there.”
