NELSPRUIT – The president Mr Jacob Zuma spoke to thousands of supporters who attended the launch on Saturday at Mbombela Stadium.
The crowd packed it to capacity and many were turned away at the gates. The event took place without any real hiccups. Supporters cheered the president as he appeared on stage, enforcing the ANC’s claims that Mpumalanga is its stronghold in the country. Some people had even made a makeshift coffin with the words “RIP Juju” written on it which was passed through the crowd during the president’s speech.
Zuma said the party would continue to prioritise education, health, rural development, land reform, food security and fighting crime and corruption. He added that all citizens would share in the wealth of the country and that the ANC would improve on passenger and freight transport which in turn would gradually improve local procurement and sustained investment in sectors, creating jobs in the process.
He affirmed they would continue to build on an inclusive economy which drew from the skills of all South Africans and reduce the income inequality as they undid the legacy of discrimination at work, on the grounds of race, gender and disability.
“Our determination is to deal with abusive practices such as labour broking.” He also added that the ANC would expand on its public-employment programme to provide six million work opportunities. He stressed that the majority of these jobs would be reserved for young people.
With regard to rural development, land and agrarian reform, he blamed the 1913 Land Act for the current problems of poverty, unemployment and inequality. “We must provide a radical answer to the land question.” He said the “willing buyer, willing seller” principle had not been successful and it would be replaced in line with Section
25 of the Constitution. He said nearly
5 000 farms comprising 4,2 million hectares had been transferred back to black people, benefitting more than 200 000 families. Nearly 80 000 land claims totalling
3,4 million hectares, had been settled and
1,8 million people had benefited.
Regarding education, Zuma said teacher development was key to the ongoing improvement of basic education. “We will also continue to improve access to higher education and training.”
He said they would open two new universities this year – one in Mpumalanga and another in the Northern Cape. A third dedicated health sciences university would be built in Gauteng.
With regard to health and social security, the president said the National Health Insurance (NHI) remained its crucial programme and would be beyond pilot phase during the next five years. He said this would ensure that the poor gained equal access to medical treatment. “We also aim to improve public health care and reform private health care to bring down the costs.”
With regard to tender corruption, the president stated that a central tender board would be established to adjudicate tenders in all spheres of government.
“ANC members and public representatives, who are found guilty of criminal activity by a court of law, are expected to step down from any position of leadership in the ANC, government and society.” He stated with regard to the international outlook and foreign policy, that the ANC had reaffirmed its commitment of people still struggling for freedom and democracy. “We continue to support efforts of the people of Palestine and the Western Sahara.”
In conclusion, Zuma presented Ms Ruth Mompati the Isithwalandwe award which is the highest honour bestowed by the ANC. The event concluded with famous musicians entertaining the crowd.
