‘ANC AIMS FOR MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS' - ZUMA
African National Congress (ANC) President Jacob Zuma today (26 February 2009) continued his campaign trail to ensure the organisation attain an overwhelming victory in the 22 April elections.
Addressing a crowd of ANC supporters who converged at the at Heidedal Township's Polonomi Grounds in the Free State, Zuma said the ANC aimed for more than a two thirds majority in the 2009 polls.
Amid applause, Zuma said had no doubt about the ANC winning the 2009 elections. "What we need is sufficient power to make decisions that will change the quality of life for all South Africans".
He said voting for the ANC was "a vote for the peoples' organisation, a vote for hope and the future". The ANC, said Zuma, "was born here (Free State) in 1912". Zuma: "We, in the Free State have a claim that the ANC belongs to us because the ANC was born here. How can you in the Free State vote for another Party? One thing that makes democracy tick is that every five years people are given an opportunity to cast their vote. Voting in an election is an important undertaking by anyone. When we say ‘all powers to the people!' it means we have the power to vote in a Government every five years.
"You can vote a government in and vote it out. So put your vote in a correct place. You can't vote for people who will never be in government. If you vote for a party that will never win, you're throwing away your vote. Why must you waste your vote? If you vote for a party with clear policies, and will be in government, then you are casting your vote correctly. By so doing, your vote is part of voting for changing lives in the country."
Zuma, who went on a door-to-door campaign in the townships of Bloemfontein, was enthusiastically received in homes he visited in Haidedal and Mangaung township.
Elderly widows Johanna Pretorious (73), Bianca Williams (59) and Trudie van Wyk were assured of assistance by Zuma, who was accompanied by ANC provincial Chairperson Ace Magashule, Premier Beatrice Marshoff and Mangaung Mayor Playfair Morule.
With her meagre pension, Pretorious, who takes care of four grandchildren with the help of neighbours told Zuma: "I am pulling hard every month and am now in arrears with my municipal water and lights account by R400."
Williams told of her daughter, who had finished matric with distinction but could not further her studies due to financial hardship. He was promised assistance with registration fees. "What Zuma has done, gives me strength and hope for the future under an ANC government," remarked Williams.
Van Wyk told of her experience of living in a house for a year without electricity, which was cut by the municipality because of non-payment due to non affordability. Zuma undertook to assist her with R4000 arrears in electricity.
Zuma: "It is clear to me that we need to find a solution to assist older people. We need to do something. Exemption of senior citizens from paying high water and electricity bills is what we have to look into." Zuma also visited the Omega Old Age Home to listen to similar concerns.
The ANC President who enjoyed lunch with two Free State soccer teams, Free State Stars and Celtics, will later address students at the province's Central University of Technology.
Statement issued by the African National Congress, February 26 2009
