“The game is over now; we are voting for acceleration of change and togetherness.”
These were the words of ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula as he cast his vote at Orange Grove Primary School, a suburb in Johannesburg, on Wednesday.
Mbalula stated that he was confident that his party would win an outright majority because coalitions have failed.
Gauteng would undoubtedly return to the ANC, he predicted.
“We are confident because our people have come out today in different areas to vote, and we believe that it will translate into an outright majority for the ANC,” Mbalula said.
“We don’t discuss coalitions because they have not worked for us; we have taken that message to the people, and they understand.
“We can see here in Gauteng that it is not working; you can imagine it at the national level.”
He stated that the outright majority that the ANC hopes for is not a given; however, he said the ruling party has worked hard to ensure it listens to people.
ANC eyes outright majority
“We are hoping for the outright majority so that we can be able to do things for our people. Everywhere else where there’s a coalition, it is not working.”
Mbalula went on to mention that the ANC went to the people and asked them to vote for the ruling party, knowing that it was not a given.
“We have gone to their homes and asked them to vote for the ANC; they responded, and now it’s time to listen to them, and we must respect their vote.
“This is a good turnout; the weather is good; there is peace in the country, and that’s good for democracy.”
Mbalula pleads for patience
Mbalula also addressed reports of delays in some parts of Johannesburg, saying that voting would be fair and pleading with people to remain patient.
“It will be a free and fair election. I’m not talking about people who are not campaigning and mobilising people, sitting and generating anarchy. We do have challenges with delays; people must be patient.
“The IEC [Independent Electoral Commission] is doing its utmost best, so we know that things will be okay.
“It is important to note that voting stations close at 9pm; people must stand in the queue and finish the race.
“If the challenges persist, people will vote the manual way.”
