Political analyst Rebone Tau says the African National Congress (ANC) has missed an opportunity to communicate the party’s plans- ahead of the crucial election this year.
This is after the ANC celebrated its 112th anniversary with a rally in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.
Party president Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the ANC’s achievements as a governing party- with the party’s manifesto, outlining its future plans expected to be launched next month.
Tau says the party’s so-called January 8th Statement was a shock.
“This was indeed a different January 8 Statement – because in the past they would communicate their plans for the year – but this year they’ve decided to take their plans for the year to the manifesto. Citizens were expecting the normal January 8 Statement, not something different – so this came as a shock.
“I think they’ve missed an opportunity, but either way, at this point many South Africans – their minds have been made up. Those who will not be voting for the ANC, I don’t think that even the manifesto might persuade them, with all the challenges that the country is facing.”
ANC January 8 Statement | Life is better under ANC’s governance: Ramaphosa
Meanwhile, ANC President Ramaphosa says after 30 years of democracy, the governing party still remains a party of choice. Ramaphosa delivered his January 8 Statement in a full-packed Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga, on Saturday.
Ramaphosa used his 2024 ANC January 8 Statement to highlight the ruling party’s achievements in its last 30 years of governance.
“In 1999 only 2.5 million people had access to social relief. Today, more than 18 million people in our country receive grants. The Social Relief of Distress Grant, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide relief to unemployed people, lays the basis for a future Basic Income Grant. Nearly every young person aged 15-24 years is literate, and adult literacy now stands at 85%, up from only 64% in 1996. Despite persistent challenges, the South African economy has expanded over the past 30 years. The number of South Africans in employment increased from 8 million in 1994 to 16.7 million now.”
The annual statement event comes amidst the ANC preparing for what some predict is their biggest test since 1994. The ruling ANC will launch its election manifesto in February.
