President Cyril Ramaphosa Photo: Sharon Seletolo/Getty Images
The ANC's Siyanqhoba rally at the FNB Stadium in Nasrec, Johannesburg on Saturday was lively but failed to live up to expectations.
As early as 10am, buses from various provinces, including Limpopo, Free State and Mpumalanga, began arriving at the stadium and supporters began to file in. Performances by some of the country's best-known musicians were held as party leader Cyril Ramaphosa was about to address supporters in his final call before the election.
But by 2pm, the 94,000-capacity venue was half empty as Ramaphosa took to the podium to deliver his party's final message ahead of Wednesday's vote.
As President Ramaphosa spoke, thousands of ANC supporters gathered outside the stadium, some of them drinking alcohol and listening to loud music.
When asked about this, some supporters Mail & Guardian He said there was a “good atmosphere” outside the stadium where the president spoke, rather than inside, which is why there were more people outside.
“We've been here since the morning and we're tired, we just want to have a drink and enjoy the atmosphere in Johannesburg,” said Pleasure Ngozie, a supporter from Limpopo province.
A further blunder occurred when former president Thabo Mbeki appeared in a recorded interview during the singing of the national anthem, announcing that he was in hospital and could not attend the rally.
The scene was quickly cut by the production team as it was not intended to be shown on screen. Supporters continued to leave the stadium in large numbers while President Ramaphosa was speaking.
As has become customary at recent ANC rallies, a coffin bearing the words “Rest in Peace Zuma” and “Rest in Peace MK” was seen floating in the stadium.
Other supporters held signs reading “Zuma is a little boy” while some said “May MK rest in peace” – a reference to former ANC leader and president Jacob Zuma, who in December endorsed the newly formed Umkhonto weSizwe party.
In his speech, President Ramaphosa said that during the election campaign, South Africans had asked for the social hardship relief grant of R350 to be increased to R700, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
However, the optimism of many was quickly dashed when the government said it would raise it to R370 in the near future.
With many people still unemployed, the ANC will continue to provide income support to those who need it most. “We will maintain existing social transfers, which have been so important in reducing poverty and giving opportunities to poor children,” he said.
“At the same time, we will also implement the Basic Income Support Grant for working persons under the SRD. [Social Relief of Distress Grant] Grant.”
Ramaphosa also said it was outrageous that some political parties were planning to abolish the national minimum wage if elected, adding that this was an attack on workers and efforts to build a fairer society.
He also added that the party would not scrap the ANC's black economic independence policy, which has come under much criticism, another move that drew loud cheers from the crowd.
As with other ANC rallies, law enforcement officials were busy ensuring smooth access and security at the venue, but some people were using the event to make money by selling party merchandise.
“I'm happy to be here. I'm happy because I can earn money,” said Pusuletso Matibe, one of the vendors.
Matibe was confident his party would retain its majority: “Yes, the ANC has made mistakes, but at least they have proven their track record. We will vote for the ANC. The other (smaller) parties have no experience or ideas on how to run a big country like South Africa.”
This article has been edited for clarity.