The ANC has patted itself on the back for what it says was a good record of delivery and for changing the lives of millions of South Africans over the past 29 years.
Thousands of ANC members and supporters from around the Eastern Cape filled the Isaac Wolfson Stadium on Saturday to listen to the party's review of its 2019 manifesto.
Treasurer-general Gwen Ramokgopa said the ANC had delivered houses, water and sanitation as well as electricity to millions of people.
Though President Cyril Ramaphosa was expected to address the crowd, Ramokgopa delivered the keynote address after several musical performances from the Eastern Cape home-grown artists such as Betusile Mcinga, Butho Vuthela, Zintle Kwaaiman, Yolanda Mamntlane, Andile B, Vee Sholo and Thembelani Mbilini.
Ramakgopa said the ANC manifesto review programme sought to ensure that the party accounts to citizens for the mandate they were given by voters at the 2019 election polls.
“This exercise is also to review the progress and challenges that we came across along the way so that we can strengthen the implementation of the programme of social transformation and a better life for all.”
She said over the nearly 30 years of democracy, all ANC manifestos spoke to the central task of building a better life for all, by meeting basic needs, developing human resources, growing the economy and creating jobs, safer communities and a better Africa and world.
“Millions of more people have houses, electricity and access to water and sanitation services,” Ramakgopa said.
“This government continues to work to expand access to quality and affordable education and health care to everyone.”
She said under apartheid, SA had no national minimum wage. However, today, no worker — barring a few exceptions — can be paid below the national minimum wage of R25 per hour or R4,000 a month.
Ramokgopa said more than six million workers who earned below this amount were now covered by the national minimum wage, including farm workers and domestic workers, bringing positive changes to the lives of the working poor.
“The extent and depth of poverty and deprivation means that more than 25 million people benefit from one or other form of social grant.
“Working with other elements of the social wage, such as free basic services, health care, education and subsidised housing to the poor and working-class South Africans, the ANC government continues to provide comprehensive social protection to millions of poor and vulnerable people,” said Ramokgopa.
The manifesto review event was attended by the several ANC national executive committee (NEC) members and cabinet ministers including home affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi, human settlements minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and public works minister Sihle Zikalala.
Some of the provincial executive members present were health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth, economic development MEC Mlungisi Mvoko, deputy speaker at Bhisho legislature Mlibo Qoboshiyane and ANC provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukaitobi.
In Nelson Mandela Bay, several ANC regional leaders attended, including regional chair and Bay deputy mayor Babalwa Lobishe, acting secretary Siphiwo Tshaka and deputy secretary Eugene Johnson.
