Honour for Zuma to address Free State residents

ANC President, Jacob Zuma, said it’s always an honour addressing members of the ANC and its supporters in the Free State, the ANC’s place of birth.
Zuma was addressing thousands of ANC members gathered at the Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium in Botshabelo. During his keynote address at the party’s provincial manifesto launch, he promised the crowds that the ANC will ensure that all its councillors hold public meetings to address challenges at their various communities.
“We are the only party that has a proper vision with realistic goals. Each must work hard to localise the party’s manifesto so that it can address specific challenges at particular places. We have already done a lot since 1994 and we should always be the first to say there is still much more that needs to be done,” he explained.
Zuma emphasised that the ANC has to win the municipal elections in August convincingly and clarified that in doing so, they will prove that they are not power-hungry but aiming to continue delivering services for the country. He said the ANC delivered on its key targets and is looking forward to improve its track record.
Zuma indicated that local government is a very critical layer of government and communities must reject all attempts of municipalities to turn into “training grounds for those who want to possibly run with no credentials”.
“There is a huge task facing all branches that we need to ensure and be serious that we win the elections. We have already established strong, accountable, local systems. A vote for the ANC is a vote for public participation, accountability and a better life. We are an organisation with experience.”
Zuma emphasised to thousands of ANC members that the party needed to be united and remain focused as unity. It is very important and the only way for the ANC and South Africa to succeed. “Freedom is precious and we shouldn’t lose sight of it. Freedom comes with a lot of responsibility. We still haven’t fully achieved the freedom that we fought for and need to work harder to attain it. If we don’t understand what freedom is, then we are likely to believe that the current freedom is complete. What do we understand by freedom and democracy? What do we understand by freedom and power in a democratic country? An election is power and from it political power is achieved. Is the political power enough to change the country faster? Who is controlling the economy of the country and its security?” Zuma asked.
During his address, Zuma reminded the crowd that they needed to renew their partnership of developing the country by participating in local elections. “Local elections are important. They connect communities. I am happy to welcome new members in the ANC ‘who are from an organisation that I don’t know’,” he added.
Zuma said the ANC is the future and it has fought hard to be where it is today. – Refilwe Gaeswe
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