Swan song or campaigning? Mixed reactions to Ramaphosa’s pre-election address

JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa’s report back to the nation on the 6th administration has been met with mixed reviews.

He has been accused by some of desperately campaigning for the African National Congress (ANC) just before the country takes to the polls in two days' time.

Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday night, highlighting progress achieved during his first term of office.

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But was Ramaphosa’s address merely a report back on the 6th administration, or a Hail Mary for a governing party facing its most difficult elections yet?

While the jury is still out on this matter, analysts say it's not unusual seeing an incumbent taking full advantage of the office they occupy.

Independent political analyst Ralph Mathekga said the address should be seen as an indication of the seriousness of this year's elections.

“All of this shows how difficult and desperate the situation is, but that’s just democracy at work, where the governing party goes to these measures to make sure it stays in power.”

Meanwhile, another analyst, Sanusha Naidu, said the president's address was a swan song.

“It's in a way that you can kind of use it to showcase your achievements and accolades in a difficult period, use it as the last thing to put in people’s minds in a weekend that’s been heavily contested by all political parties.”

Questions of whether the president’s address helped or hindered his party can only be answered by voters when they take to the polls this week.

INTEGRITY IN ELECTIONS

In his address, Ramaphosa also commended the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) for work undertaken in preparation for Wednesday’s general polls.

He wished the commissioners and support staff well, as South Africa fast approaches May 29th, when registered voters will vote for a new government.

In an evening address to the nation reminiscent of his updates during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ramaphosa said the days to come were about taking responsibility for the future of the country.

He said one of the defining features of the country’s elections since the dawn of democracy has been its integrity, due to the IEC, party agents, and independent observers.

“The involvement of party agents gives people confidence that there is effective oversight of all aspects of the electoral process.”

Ramaphosa also spoke on security around the elections. He said extensive preparation had gone into ensuring these elections were peaceful, and that all who are eligible to vote could freely do so.

“They’ve been deployed throughout the country to ensure there are no disturbances or disruptions to the election process.”