Madiba belongs to the ANC: Zuma

ANC President Jacob Zuma today received a hero's welcome from a crowd of more than 12 000 supporters attending a rally in Kwaggafontein in Mpumalanga province.

His appearance at the rally was organised by the ANC Women's League to commemorate the International Women's Day.  The rally also formed part the ANC President's two-day intensive election programme in the province that ended today.

Zuma, who shared the stage with ANCWL president Angie Motshega, alliance leaders and other provincial and national leaders, commended women for organising such a significant event to once again remember the historic event that brought about the International Women's day as well as for encouraging people to partake in the elections for the victory of the ANC. He said this was a true demonstration that indeed "bomme ba tshwara thipa ka bogaleng" - women are the backbone of the nation. He reminded the rally that women were instrumental in the formulation of the Freedom Charter, which contains a number of commitments around the emancipation of women in South Africa. He stressed that even today the leadership of women was still important.

He said the ANC was different from other political parties because it was an organisation of the people. It was formed through blood and sweat with an objective to liberate all African people, particularly the blacks. It was build by brave men and women who sacrificed their lives to bring about freedom in this country.

He said the ANC, which has ruled the country since 1994, will continue to govern for many years to come until the return of the son of God. He urged people not to waste their votes on parties that will never win. "A vote for parties whose sole policy is "to reduce the ANC's majority" or whose goal is to get as little as 10 percent, was as good as a wasted vote. If you want your vote to make a difference, vote for the ANC."

Zuma said that the upcoming government will be tough on corruption. "If you know that you have long fingers, you must not bother to serve in government because we will remove you. If your service to the people is motivated by money, then go and form business. The ANC and government is the wrong place for you. We will deal harshly with corruption. I have warned all our candidates about this".

Zuma reminded the people that former President of the ANC Nelson Mandela, who recently reaffirmed his support for the organisation, belonged to the ANC. "I have heard in the morning a certain Bishop saying that Mandela does not belong to any organisation. The fact of the matter is that Madiba belongs to the ANC. He has never associated himself with any organisation except the ANC. He has served the ANC for many years and represented the ANC in government. He himself said that if he were to die, he would look for the nearest branch of the ANC in heaven. People who have nothing to say to the voters should not claim Madiba for their parties. Instead of preaching about Madiba, they should start telling people what their parties will do for them. They must leave Madiba alone."

Motshega urged women to form a solid front line of defence for the organisation. "As women we must defend the ANC in the streets, in the taxis and everywhere we live and go. ANC is our past, our present and our future. We have committed ourselves as the ANC Women's League that in the next days until elections we'll knock on every door countrywide to urge people to vote for the ANC."

Motshega cited the ANC's policies on women's empowerment as some of many things the ANC has done to restore women's dignity. "We therefore urge all women to vote the ANC - not because it is an obligation to do so, but because it is the right thing to do."

Deputy General Secretary of Cosatu, Bheki Ntshalintshali, also pledged support for the ANC: "We have made our choice, and our choice is the ANC. Our support of the ANC is because of its progressive policies and programmes reflected in the manifesto. We support the ANC because we know its leaders as well as the way in which they were were elected - unlike those who were elected by a professor at a certain university".

The rally also served as a day of prayer against all social ills afflicting the society and to bless the ANC candidates who will be serving in government after elections. The prayer was led by leaders of various churches in Mpumalanga.

Statement issued by the African National Congress, March 8 2009

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