PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma exuded confidence like a man certain of his return to power as he addressed a cheering crowd at the ANC’s election rally yesterday.
In a move choreographed to portray Zuma as popular among ANC supporters, the president entered the Soccer City stadium outside Soweto alone, after other ANC top officials had entered the venue.
Organisers closed the gates to the stadium at 11.30am as the 94000-seater venue was already packed to capacity.
Later another 5000 people were allowed in.
Zuma smiled and waved to the crowd, which went crazy amid the almost deafening sound of whistles and vuvuzelas.
The last two times Zuma was at the FNB Stadium – for Nelson Mandela’s memorial service in December 2013 and the final of the African Nations Championship in March – he was booed.
But yesterday, it was his day, complete with a praise singer who introduced him to the crowd as the ANC pulled out all the stops to demonstrate its popularity ahead of Wednesday’s polls, which the ruling party hopes to win by a two-thirds majority.
Other parties such as the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) are also waiting in the wings, hoping to capture enough votes to boot the ANC out.
In his speech Zuma invoked the memories of the ANC’s past leaders as he urged the supporters to “vote for this movement of Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Chris Hani, Solomon Mahlangu, Harry Gwala, Mitta Siperepere, Dorothy Nyembe, Ruth First, Billy Nair, Braam Fischer and Reggie September”.
Zuma said the campaign did not end with yesterday’s rally, but that the real work started on Wednesday.
A large part of Zuma’s speech read like a state of the nation address as he recalled the ANC government’s successes since 1994, and made promises to create jobs and build more houses.
In his new term, Zuma said the ANC would direct government to buy at least 75% of its goods from SA producers.
Government will also support small enterprises and co-operatives.
He promised to strengthen the enforcement of the provisions of the newly amended Employment Equity Act and the Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Act. “Successful implementation will open more opportunities for African, Indian and coloured people as well as women, youth and persons with disabilities, as we reverse the apartheid legacy.
“We reiterate that we will deliver six million work opportunities in the next five years. We say this based on experience and capacity,” said Zuma, adding that his government had created 3.9-million “work opportunities” since 2009.
Cosatu president S’dumo Dlamini yesterday sang Zuma’s praises and slammed his detractors. His sentiments were echoed by SACP leader Blade Nzimande who labelled the EFF “tenderpreneurs” and the DA “a party of white privilege”.
Zuma cheered like a rock star
In a move choreographed to portray Zuma as popular among ANC supporters, the president entered the Soccer City stadium outside Soweto alone, after other ANC top officials had entered the venue.
Organisers closed the gates to the stadium at 11.30am as the 94000-seater venue was already packed to capacity.
Later another 5000 people were allowed in.
Zuma smiled and waved to the crowd, which went crazy amid the almost deafening sound of whistles and vuvuzelas.
The last two times Zuma was at the FNB Stadium – for Nelson Mandela’s memorial service in December 2013 and the final of the African Nations Championship in March – he was booed.
But yesterday, it was his day, complete with a praise singer who introduced him to the crowd as the ANC pulled out all the stops to demonstrate its popularity ahead of Wednesday’s polls, which the ruling party hopes to win by a two-thirds majority.
Other parties such as the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) are also waiting in the wings, hoping to capture enough votes to boot the ANC out.
In his speech Zuma invoked the memories of the ANC’s past leaders as he urged the supporters to “vote for this movement of Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Chris Hani, Solomon Mahlangu, Harry Gwala, Mitta Siperepere, Dorothy Nyembe, Ruth First, Billy Nair, Braam Fischer and Reggie September”.
Zuma said the campaign did not end with yesterday’s rally, but that the real work started on Wednesday.
A large part of Zuma’s speech read like a state of the nation address as he recalled the ANC government’s successes since 1994, and made promises to create jobs and build more houses.
In his new term, Zuma said the ANC would direct government to buy at least 75% of its goods from SA producers.
Government will also support small enterprises and co-operatives.
He promised to strengthen the enforcement of the provisions of the newly amended Employment Equity Act and the Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Act. “Successful implementation will open more opportunities for African, Indian and coloured people as well as women, youth and persons with disabilities, as we reverse the apartheid legacy.
“We reiterate that we will deliver six million work opportunities in the next five years. We say this based on experience and capacity,” said Zuma, adding that his government had created 3.9-million “work opportunities” since 2009.
Cosatu president S’dumo Dlamini yesterday sang Zuma’s praises and slammed his detractors. His sentiments were echoed by SACP leader Blade Nzimande who labelled the EFF “tenderpreneurs” and the DA “a party of white privilege”.
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