South African Parties Make Final Appeals Before Local Elections

South Africa's major political parties have intensified their final appeals to voters, with the ANC, Democratic Alliance (DA), uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party and EFF holding their concluding campaign rallies ahead of the local government elections. Their leaders presented competing visions on governance, service delivery, economic opportunities and political change.

The rallies took place across the country over the weekend. President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed ANC supporters in Mdantsane, while DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis spoke in Mamelodi, Pretoria. Jacob Zuma addressed MK party supporters in Durban.

Ramaphosa acknowledged shortcomings in the ANC's governing record while promising stronger municipal infrastructure, employment initiatives and more accountable leadership. Speaking at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in the Eastern Cape, he defended the party's achievements in basic services, education and healthcare.

He argued that direct engagement with communities remained an important distinction between the ANC and its political competitors.

"We are the only organization that goes from village to village, that goes from town to town, that goes from city to city, from metro to metro ... listening to our people. That is what makes a difference between the ANC and all other parties," said Ramaphosa.

The president conceded that the party had not met all expectations but maintained that it was prepared to address public concerns.

"Yes, we have had shortcomings. We stand here to say the ANC is ready to do more. The ANC is ready to address the aspirations of our people," said Ramaphosa.

He also acknowledged concerns among young South Africans struggling to secure employment despite obtaining tertiary qualifications. His commitments included municipal infrastructure investment, tackling unemployment, implementing party policies and promoting ethical leadership.

Ramaphosa called on incoming municipal representatives to prioritize implementation rather than concentrating on developing additional plans.

"We've got the plans, we've got the budgets. We now say our councilors must go and implement the policies and the decisions," said Ramaphosa.

He also emphasized the importance of electing officials with the necessary skills and integrity.

"A few months ago we had load shedding all over. It was the ANC-led government that made sure that we bring an end to load shedding," said Ramaphosa.

He cited more than 500 days without load shedding as evidence of the government's ability to deliver.

Meanwhile, Hill-Lewis used the DA's final national rally at Moretele Park in Mamelodi to urge voters to support his party as an alternative to the ANC. Thousands of supporters attended Saturday's gathering, which featured party chants and campaign displays.

A banner carried the slogan "Working for All" as the party presented its final appeal to voters who had not previously supported the DA.

Hill-Lewis called for a historic election result that would strengthen the party's national position.

"Today I am asking South Africans to do something historic: make the DA the biggest party in this election," said Hill-Lewis.

He linked the ANC's declining support to the possibility of political recovery under different leadership.

"The ANC's decline must become South Africa's recovery," said Hill-Lewis.

The DA leader portrayed the contest as a direct competition between the two largest parties and argued that his organization could overtake the ANC nationally.

"This is a two-horse race for first place in South Africa – the ANC or the DA. And we are going for first place, because we know that is what's needed to fix our country," said Hill-Lewis.

He also presented the election as an opportunity to build toward a DA-led national government.

"Let us make this election the beginning of a journey to a DA-led national government in 2029," said Hill-Lewis.

Hill-Lewis warned that support for smaller parties could make it easier for the ANC to regain power through coalition arrangements. The DA's campaign focused on service delivery, infrastructure maintenance and corruption.

He said the party had invested more in basic infrastructure than all three Gauteng metropolitan municipalities combined. Its priorities included appointing capable officials, tackling corruption, repairing infrastructure and improving public services.

Addressing perceptions about the party's racial appeal, Hill-Lewis argued that its political vision extended across South African communities.

"There is one belief, one commitment that guides me, and it is this: that every child, no matter their race, no matter if they are rich or poor, no matter where in South Africa they are born, every single child deserves the opportunity to live a good life," said Hill-Lewis.

Supporters concluded the gathering with the slogan "Stop the chaos! Start delivery!"

In Durban, former president Jacob Zuma used the MK party's rally at Princess Magogo Stadium to criticize the Government of National Unity (GNU). Introduced by his son and the party's deputy president, Duduzane Zuma, he argued that cooperation with political groups representing white South Africans contradicted the country's liberation struggle.

During his address in isiZulu, Zuma described South Africa as experiencing another period of national decline. He questioned whether political cooperation with former opponents could be considered genuine reconciliation.

He referred to those political partners as "white people" while criticizing the GNU.

Zuma argued that the country's political direction remained unfinished and called for continued action against the governing arrangement.

"This shows that we are not where we are headed yet. We are not yet free," said Zuma.

He said the MK party had decided to continue fighting for the interests of black South Africans and opposed the continuation of the GNU.

"That is why, as the MK party, we took a decision to advance the fight for black people. They killed us. We will not allow them to kill us again. We will fight until we end the GNU," said Zuma.

The MK party had previously pursued several legal challenges against the 2024 elections, all of which were rejected. Zuma nevertheless maintained that his party had been deprived of an electoral victory.

He repeated the party's allegation that it had been "robbed" and insisted that it had not caused trouble despite the disputed election outcome.