As the ANC prepares for its 113th-anniversary celebrations in Khayelitsha outside Cape Town in the Western Cape on Saturday, ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri insists that ANC voters did not vote for other parties in the 2024 elections but abstained from voting. Party President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the highly anticipated January 8th statement at the Mandela Park Stadium.

LOVED BY THE MASSES 

Bhengu said the decision to host at a smaller venue in Khayelitsha is an attempt to energise their branches and supporting communities. "For example, we visited the churches on Sunday, and the ANC was resoundingly received which then backs the overwhelming support from the neighbouring areas. This, however, leaves a question of why yesterday's spectacle isn't or didn't translate into votes," said Bhengu-Motsiri. She explained that community members reassured the party of their love and support but stated that they were upset, hence the voting poll turnout. "This was a clear indication that it's not that they went and voted for other parties, but they decided to stay home because they still believe that the ANC is capable of renewing itself, fixing within and externally so that it goes back to being that organisation of pride by the people and for the people. We are confident that the rebuilding path will steadily yield positive results," she said.

FINANCIAL TROUBLES?

Bhengu-Motsiri dismissed claims that the party will not be paying for its supporters to attend the weekend's celebrations. "This was the imagination of the reporter from Sunday World publication and we have since asked them for a right of reply and we are also going to approach the press ombudsman because an interview was done with the secretary general, and I was also consulted and questioned. I strongly say that none of our responses suggested that our people are going to fund themselves to come to Cape Town," she said.