The ANC displayed its popularity during the voter registration weekend as new parties formed ahead of the 2024 elections.
Although most of the new parties did not even mention having a desire to oust the ANC as their main reason for existence, the ruling party showed off its electioneering apparatus.
While President Cyril Ramaphosa got negative feedback in some parts of Soweto, his party was warmly received in most parts of the country with supporters vowing to bring it back to power.
“My mother was shot in the leg by the boers whilst pregnant with me and still had a scar when she died. She taught me to vote for the ANC and I’m staying on that path, I will not be swayed”, said Rachel Nditsheni moments after verifying that her name is still on the voters-rall.
It is difficult for Nditsheni to understand why people form parties. “They won’t make a difference, the ANC will not be threatened by them. They will not get the votes because we’re all ANC,” said Nditsheni.
Service delivery in the township of Alexander is almost nonexistent, a reality that ANC supporters are mindful of. In a statement, Eric Nukeri, a resident and activist of the ruling party, said critics ignore the progress made since 1994.
“You could look at the flowing sewage, the constant power outages, how our people live in small dwellings. We remain positive that we will achieve a better life for all, said Nukeri standing next to an overflowing sewage drain.
Cyril Ramaphosa led the Gauteng leg of the party’s voter registration drive along with his deputy Paul Mashatile in Limpopo, and Secretary General Fikile Mbalula in the Eastern Cape.