South Africa: Ramaphosa assures improved job creation, social welfare as elections draw close
Cyril Ramaphosa, president of the African National Congress (ANC), during an election campaign at Mellowood community hall in KwaDukuza in KwaZulu Natal province, South Africa, on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Opinion polls suggest voters may punish the ANC in May 29 elections by denying it a parliamentary majority for the first time, thrusting the country into a new era of coalition politics. Photographer: Leon Sadiki/Bloomberg via Getty Images
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa has pledged to do more on matters such as jobs and state welfare as he campaigned ahead of next week’s elections.
The president told supporters dressed in the African National Congress’ colours of yellow, green, and black who gathered at a soccer stadium in the country’s most populous township, Soweto, that the party will do better in key areas to better the affairs of the country.
Political parties are conducting rallies in the final weekend before the national and provincial elections on May 29, which Ramaphosa described as one of the most significant in the country’s history.
He added that the ANC would focus on securing more jobs for South Africans, tackling the high cost of living, and maintaining existing social grants to support the poor and unemployed citizens.
The coming election, according to polls, could weaken the African National Congress’ 30-year hold on power.
Julius Malema, leader of the rival EFF party, has been campaigning for youth not to cast their vote for the ruling ANC, which has been struggling to fight corruption within its ranks.
South Africa has had credible, peaceful elections since it became a democracy in 1994, and the May 29 race is expected to put the viability of the process to the test.
