Mbeki encourages Soweto residents to vote for ANC

• Published date: 26 April 2024
• Author: Kgothatso Madisa
• Publication title: Business Day: Web Edition Articles (Johannesburg, South Africa)

He told residents gathered at the Jabulani Mall that they should vote for the ANC even though it was still infiltrated by criminals. He said the ANC was in the process of removing such crooks from the party

"People of Soweto, I come here to ask that on May 29 we know what we have to do. There's only one political party I know. I don't know these other ones," said Mbeki to loud cheers.

"When I say let's vote for the people's organisation, I say that because I know this organisation. I know you have many issues with this organisation — that there are people who are not good, the criminals are also wearing this ANC Tshirt. We have to remove them so that this organisation goes back to being the one you all know," he said.

This was the first time that Mbeki had joined the ANC campaign trail since he was removed from office in 2008.

Though he had several engagements with intellectuals ahead of the 2019 elections, the last time he campaigned on the streets was in 2008.

Mbeki's decision to join the campaign has been seen as an endorsement of the party, given that it is a big shift from his previous comments about the ANC.

Mbeki has been critical of the ANC, often calling the party out for implementing its renewal programme at a snail's pace.

The renewal programme is meant to rid the ANC of the rot that Mbeki has said had taken over the party.

Mbeki last year said since the adoption of the renewal resolution in 2017 and 2022, nothing tangible had been done to show the party was serious about its renewal.

"We did not do that, we did not renew the ANC after that conference resolution of 2017. That resolution has been repeated by the conference of 2022, to renew the ANC," said Mbeki at the University of Johannesburg during the memorial service of former foreign affairs minister Aziz Pahad last year.

Mbeki also lambasted the ANC leadership for shielding its president Cyril Ramaphosa from a parliamentary inquiry that was meant to probe the Phala Phala scandal.

However, speaking in isiXhosa, Mbeki said he was happy with the reception he received at Jabulani Mall.

"I was very happy to see people, the faces of the people [were] very happy because they are confident that the problems we've been facing are going to be solved. They have to be solved," he said.

"So I promise that when I say vote for the ANC, I promise that we will fix that ANC."

Last August, Mbeki told a...