Sexwale calls on voters to keep an open mind on ANC's past mistakes and shortcomings
On Tuesday, ANC veteran, Tokyo Sexwale, led the party's campaign activities in Katlehong, on the East Rand.
ANC veteran Tokyo Sexwale on the campaign trial for the party in Katlehong, Gauteng on 7 May 2024. Picture: Thabiso Goba/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) has asked voters to keep an open mind about its past mistakes and shortcomings when it goes to the polls later this month.
On Tuesday, ANC veteran, Tokyo Sexwale, led the party's campaign activities in Katlehong, on the East Rand.
The former Gauteng premier is the latest ANC stalwart who has come out of political hibernation to campaign for the party in the battleground province.
Sticking on the renewal like, ANC veteran, Tokyo Sexwale said the party has “shortcomings” and has made “mistakes” in the past.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 7, 2024
“There is no need for us to look back and say this and that happened we are looking forward,” he said. TCG pic.twitter.com/A0ldGT75TZ
Sexwale was the first Gauteng premier in post-democratic South Africa.
Asked how the province has progressed from his time to now, Sexwale deflected the question and said the focus should be on the future.
"We go back to the people with open hands, open minds but also saying to the people, open your minds as well, there are shortcomings. We will keep on repeating that. There are mistakes but also criminality has happened inside the ANC that has found itself into society. We are urging the people to understand we are here with and for them."
Small business owner in Katlehong, Thabani Dlamini, said that the governing party had disappointed him over the past 30 years.
"There were people marching to malls demanding jobs. It is the government that has killed jobs because businesses are hiring foreigners. They hire foreigners because the government doesn't want to tighten our border security."
The latest census data says there are 2.4 million foreigners living in South Africa, accounting for 3.8% of the country's population.
Thabani Dlamini, Thokoza resident, said he is unhappy with the ANC.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 7, 2024
He said the governing party has “played a lot” with the resident and he cannot see what it has done to improve the area.
Dlamini said jobs are being taken by foreigners because of leaky borders, TCG pic.twitter.com/Kk3NI1q9ft
Bheki Maseko, Katlehong resident, said the ANC should return for another term in government.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 7, 2024
Maseko said the party should also think about creating opportunities for people older than 35-years and not just priories the youth only. TCG pic.twitter.com/o9l1UYoqWG