THE AFRICAN National Congress (ANC) leadership was given a massive boost at the party’s final pre-election rally in Johannesburg yesterday when its iconic former president Nelson Mandela turned up to show support.
More than 50,000 ANC supporters gathered at the Coca-Cola Park stadium to hear current party leader Jacob Zuma speak ahead of next Wednesday’s poll, but the loudest cheer of the day was saved for Mr Mandela when he entered the stadium with the man likely to be South Africa’s next president.
Yesterday’s rally was beamed around the country to more than 200,000 ANC supporters gathered at nine other stadiums, in what the ruling party indicated was the largest live address in the party’s history.
Flanked by Mr Zuma, the 90-year-old Mr Mandela – who looked frail but alert – sat centre stage while a short speech he recorded earlier was played for the jubilant crowd.
Without mentioning Mr Zuma by name he said: “As we try to secure a decisive victory in the upcoming elections we must remember it is to eradicate poverty and ensure a better life for all. The ANC has a historic responsibility to lead our organisation and build a united, non-racial society,” to thunderous applause.
Mr Zuma addressed the crowd next and attempted to counter pre-election opposition claims that he and his party leadership would change the constitution to suit their own needs if they won the election by an absolute majority.
Corruption charges against Mr Zuma were sensationally withdrawn by the National Prosecuting Authority two weeks ago, which prompted allegations by ANC critics that state prosecutors had buckled under pressure from the ruling party.
Since then, opposition parties have used the development as a warning to the electorate that if the ANC won a two-thirds majority in parliament it could ride roughshod over the constitution to further its own agenda.
However, Mr Zuma strongly denied the accusation. “In 15 years that it has been in power the ANC has never used its electoral mandate to change the constitution,” he told supporters, before reiterating the party’s commitment to the independence of the judiciary.
"When we comment on the pace of transformation in the judiciary, it is not because we want to infringe on its independence, but seek faster action," he added before breaking into his signature tune Umshini Wam, which translates as "Bring me my machine gun".
In Cape Town up to 15,000 people braved a wintery day and gathered at the Nyanga rugby stadium near the international airport to watch the live feed from Johannesburg. One of those, Solomon Madisha from Delft, a township on the outskirts of the city, told The Irish Timeshe supported the ANC because it defeated the apartheid regime and was for the people.
“[The ANC] have made mistakes, but they have also done much good for a lot of people in South Africa. They must tackle corruption and crime and provide more jobs. Mr Zuma will make sure this will happen,” he said.