Statement by ANC Western Cape secretary Faiez Jacobs
5 August 2016
As Provincial Secretary, on behalf of the leadership of the African National Congress in the Western Cape, I want to sincerely thank every single person who cast their vote and specifically those that did so for the ANC. I also want to thank the hundreds of volunteers who work very hard and without any financial gain in the run up to the election - and on voting day yesterday.
We have not done as well as expected but it a national trend especially in the Metro's.
The African National Congress in the Western Cape will not disappoint the hundreds of thousands of citizens who voted for the ANC across the province.
Those that voted for the ANC know that it is the only Party that can bring about improvement in the plight of the lives of all our people, African, Coloured, Indian and White. This is especially true in the Province of the Western
Cape where the Democratic Alliance continues to neglect the marginalised poor, to the advantage of the privileged few.
The ANC will assume its role as the official opposition in the City of Cape Town and all other municipalities where we came second to the DA in a constructive manner seeking a better life for all. We will step up our fight for the rights of poor communities.
* The ANC in the Western Cape certainly has worked hard to ensure that we take control of as many municipalities as possible. In 2011 the ANC only won Beaufort West outright. This elections under extremely difficult circumstances, we increased the number of metro wards that we won from 32 to 36.
We will study the results in detail and where it is possible for us to govern a municipality through a coalition, we will do so in the interest of the people of the Province.
This has been a difficult election for the ANC in the Western Cape given the national sentiments and local dynamics and context. We have taken note of the criticisms directed at the organization, particularly the messages sent to us by traditional supporters who have indicated unhappiness about specific issues. The unity of the organization and strengthening our structures are absolute priorities. We will build the ANC in the Western Cape and take stock as we move toward the 2019 election.
The ANC also want to thank the Independent Electoral Commission, particularly the head of the IEC in the Western Cape, Mr. Courtney Sampson, for ensuring that we had a relatively smooth election and for fulfilling their Constitutional mandate to ensure that eligible voters were able to exercise their democratic right to vote. This is a right for which so many people fought and sacrificed, some with their lives, before the new South Africa was born in 1994.
In conclusion, we call on all members and supporters of the African National Congress and our alliance partners in Cosatu, the SACP and Sanco, the Women and Youth leagues, to accept the result of this democratic election. It is crucial that we start working immediately to rebuild our organization and to restore it to its former glory.
We cannot allow the struggles of our people to be eroded in this way. We have a responsibility and a duty to go back into our communities with renewed vigour to rebuild our branches and to ensure that the ideals of Nelson Mandela are realized in our lifetime.
Issued by Faiez Jacobs, ANC Western Cape secretary, 5 August 2016
