Coloured voters 'gatvol' of DA - Western Cape ANC

28 July 2016

Cape Town - The African National Congress in the Western Cape has said it is confident of achieving an election victory in the province, adding that Cape voters - especially coloureds - are "gatvol" of the Democratic Alliance.

Speaking at a press briefing in its provincial offices in Cape Town on Thursday, spokesperson Yonela Diko said the ANC was certain of victory in "most municipalities".

"We have run a highly efficient and impactful campaign, particularly in the Metro," he said.

"We have galvanised our base areas and brought a renewed sense of enthusiasm for the ANC brand.

"We have seen what we characterise as a 'gatvol factor' amongst the coloured communities that have been hoodwinked and manipulated by the DA."

Diko said coloured voters could see that the DA was "only interested in their votes to secure the interests of the minority".

The ANC had a youthful new breed of ward candidates in the southern suburbs, and was coming for the DA's "predominant base", Diko said.

Election rally

The party would hold its final election rally on Sunday at the Belville Velodrome, starting at 08:00.

"We are expecting a huge turnout for our Siyanqoba Rally which will send a clear message that we have the people's confidence to govern."

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is currently in the province on the campaign trail.

He is set to address voters in the Boland area on Thursday and the Dullah Omar area on Friday.

Xolani Sotashe is standing as the party's mayoral candidate for Cape Town, but the party felt it took a team to run a city, Diko said.

"It takes more than winning the mayoral candidacy to run an effective city. It takes winning wards," he added.

"We focus on the quality which is run by the decision-making body, but also the effectiveness and counsel the mayor receives from the board."

Diko would not be drawn on questions from the media regarding embattled provincial chair Marius Fransman.

He said the ANC was always resolved to dealing with the issue nationally.

"Nothing has changed," Diko said.

This article first appeared on News24, see here.