Namhla Tshisela

Namhla Tshisela

A number of organisations have pledged their loyalty and support to the ANC and championed its manifesto.

At a dinner in Sandton, north of Johannesburg, on Saturday, sports organisations, business people, artists and faith-based organisations cited a long history with the ruling party and commended its manifesto for addressing the needs of all people.

Launched in East London last month, the manifesto cites job creation, improving health-care and education, crime fighting and rural development as priorities.

Businessman and property developer Richard Maponya said his dignity as a South African was restored when the ANC came into power.

"I appeal to you, even if you are sick on election day, ask an ambulance to take you to a polling station and vote for the ANC," said Maponya.

Taking a swipe at the ANC breakaway party, Congress of the People, Maponya said: "It is regrettable to see good servants of the party whose time is up deciding to form some organisation."

Introduced by head of policy Jeff Radebe as the president of the "congress of the people yamampela" (the real congress of the people), Jacob Zuma said "high unemployment and poverty continue to afflict our country".

"The measure of our progress will not be whether we have added more to the abundance of those who have much, it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little," said Zuma.

On crime he said: "We have to do something about it. A transformation of the criminal justice system is at the heart of reducing crime."

The ruling party also received endorsements from the South African Tamil Federation, Black Management Forum, Disabled People South Africa, the Hispanic Italian and Portuguese Alliance and Athletics South Africa. Artists such as Deborah Fraser and Winnie Khumalo performed at the function.