Ramaphosa announces party manifesto at S. Africa rally

South Africa President Ramaphosa announces the manifesto of the African National Congress (ANC) for elections that will take place in May

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the accomplishments of the African National Congress (ANC), which has governed the nation throughout its 30-year democratic history, as the party gears up for a closely contested election in May.

Addressing thousands of ANC supporters at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, Ramaphosa presented the party’s manifesto. The rally took place amidst South Africa’s growing challenges of poverty, unemployment, crime, and a severe electricity crisis.

The crowd was entertained by a procession of motorbikes, their riders waving ANC flags, before Ramaphosa’s arrival, much to the delight of supporters.

Tensions persist with former ANC president Zuma

However, tensions surrounding this year’s elections were evident as some attendees carried a symbolic coffin with the name of the uMkhonto we Sizwe political party, a new organization founded by former ANC president Jacob Zuma, who has distanced himself from the ANC.

Many South Africans will closely watch the ANC’s ability to fulfill its promises and tackle the nation’s myriad challenges, including sluggish economic growth, rising poverty rates, unemployment, crime, and the crippling electricity crisis resulting in rolling blackouts.

Ramaphosa outlined the ANC’s plan to generate over 2.5 million job opportunities in the next five years, with a focus on transitioning from coal-based energy to cleaner sources.

The ANC’s manifesto attributes some of the country’s struggles to the COVID-19 pandemic, the electricity crisis, global political tensions, the unrest in July 2021, and the impacts of climate change.

Source: Newsroom

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