Former deputy president DD Mabuza believes the ANC remains the most popular political party in South Africa and should sail to victory seamlessly in the upcoming elections. Mabuza who has joined the list of veterans thrown into the party’s campaign ahead of the May 29 election on Wednesday campaigned in Alexandra, an ANC stronghold that has now seen the increased presence of the Economic Freedom Fighters.

As Mabuza was interacting with voters in the streets coloured with mostly ANC and EFF posters, a group of fighters came out to tell him and his entourage that they were tired of empty promises and warning the ruling party won’t getting a lot of votes in the large township.

“On the 29th we are going out in numbers to deliver CIC Sello Julius Malema to the Union Buildings,” said a barefoot man to the ANC convoy.

Mabuza who was distributing caps and dukes to potential voters said the warm reception he got was an indication of the love people have for the ANC.

“The reception is good, you can see for yourself. Our people love the ANC. We are here to plead with them to go and vote and to vote for the ANC,” said Mabuza.

Alexandra is one Gauteng’s most underdeveloped areas and a renewal project meant to upgrade infrastructure in the township has not recorded any progress while on the ground, overcrowding is worsening with no much land for expansion of the township which seats just across the road from plush Sandton. Mabuza acknowledged the slow pace of development and said the ANC would work faster if returned to power on the 29th.

“Of course there’s issues they raise as I talk to them such electricity problems, lack of water, housing and so on. Building houses is not easy but it’s the ANC that can do it and I won’t leave Alexandra before talking to the ANC leadership to insist to them that we need to expedite delivery of services to the people and rid the ANC of rogue elements,” said Mabuza.