Political parties used this year’s Freedom Day to intensify campaigning for the upcoming general elections with senior leaders deployed to various parts of the country to galvanise support. In Gauteng which is the most contested province following the ANC’s loss of support in the 2021 local government elections.
While president delivered his official address from the Union Buildings while his deputy Paul Mashatile was campaigning for the ruling party in the Westrand.
The EFF on the other hand used the day to demonstrate its organising ability with its Gauteng chapter holding massive rallies in Alexandra and Soweto and both addressed by party leader Julius Malema.
Malema said his party expected to get more votes in the impoverished townships which include informal settlements. He accused the ANC of failing to improve the living conditions of residents of Alexandra and other townships during its 30 years in power and called for the party to be punished on May 29.
“For 30 years they’ve let you live like animals with no decent housing, no sanitation, no proper schools, rampant crime and no jobs. You have an opportunity to change that on the 29th of May and if you make a mistake and not vote them out you run the risk of dying poor, hungry and with nothing. The EFF is here to restore your pride,” said Malema.