ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe has previously urged South Africans to remember the services and opportunities delivered under ANC-led governments when deciding how to vote.
With local government elections taking place tomorrow, Wednesday, 4 November, his remarks have once again drawn attention to the ANC’s campaign message about its record since coming into power in 1994.
Speaking to ANC supporters in the Eastern Cape in September, Mantashe called on party volunteers to remind communities about government programmes and services introduced or expanded over the past three decades.
These included RDP housing, access to education, electricity, social grants and healthcare.
“Please vote for the ANC on November 4 and pass the message to others,” Mantashe told supporters.
He also rejected suggestions that reminding people about government services amounted to buying their votes, arguing that providing those services was the government’s responsibility.
“It’s our duty to provide service,” he said.
His appeal comes as the ANC seeks to retain support amid continued public concerns about unemployment, municipal governance and service delivery.
The local government elections will determine which parties govern municipalities across the country, with voters deciding who should be responsible for delivering basic services in their communities.
