Sexwale calls on voters to keep an open mind on ANC's past mistakes and shortcomings

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.

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.