The African National Congress’s (ANC) Siyanqoba rally in Soweto on Friday, which was its last before Monday’s election, was marred by a series of unfortunate events.
Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi was involved in a car accident, which meant she was unable to take part in proceedings as she was meant to. The rally was advised that she was only going to hospital for ‘standard medical checkups’.
Heavy rain also disrupted proceedings and forced the small crowd to disperse just as ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa took to the podium to deliver the final speech to try and encourage people to vote for the ANC. Ramaphosa addressed the few individuals who had taken shelter in tents at the site.
Addressing mostly empty chairs, Ramaphosa said ‘We are committed to be more accountable and more responsive as directed by the ANC. One of our priorities is to improve the qualities and capabilities of officials in municipalities. Our renewal process is not just for representatives, but also for officials. The ANC has presented itself to the people of our country, it is cleaning itself and we are on a forward march to serve our people with distinction’.
He added that it was at local government level where transformation of the economy ought to take place. ‘This means that we must maintain local infrastructure, and provide reliable and consistent services.’
He also promised that local government officials would work without undue political interference. Ramaphosa added that the ANC was going to conclude local government skills audits and change the way in which municipalities have been managed.
He promised that councillors would reside in the wards they oversee and would interact with communities on a regular basis, not only during election season.
Earlier in the morning protests by community members had blocked roads leading to the venue for the ANC’s rally.