Roundup: S. Africa's ruling party drums up voters' support in upcoming local elections

The leadership of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) went to various parts of the country this weekend, wooing eligible voters in the upcoming local government elections.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa appeared in Limpopo Province while ANC's Treasurer General, Zweli Mkhize went to Northwest Province, encouraging voters to register for the elections.

ANC spokesperson Khusela Sangoni told Xinhua that the party leadership made a clarion call to South African voters to register to exercise their democratic right to vote.

Sangoni said, "This is a final push by the ANC leadership to encourage prospective voters to register to vote. Voting is in line with our founding principles contained in our Freedom Charter which says 'people shall govern'. For them to do govern, they have to register to vote. They have to take part in the political affairs of the country by voting."

President Jacob Zuma has announced that the local government elections will be held on August 3 this year. Saturday and Sunday were set as the last days for eligible voters to register.

Sangoni stated that the people engaged the ANC leadership about issues like service delivery, refuse collection and water supply.

She said ANC leaders were welcomed in various parts of the country and engaged in robust discussions with the people.

Despite various challenges confronting the ANC, the party is confident of victory in the elections, Sangoni said.

She said, "People still consider ANC their political home and are prepared to join hands with the party and build a better South Africa. The people know what we have done to improve their lives as a party and government since independence in 1994. Despite the said negative messages about the party, we are more than confident of victory."

The spokesperson said the ANC encourages the people to be active citizens who have to help build the country.

The party, she said, is eyeing on those first-time voters who were born after 1994.

Referring to growing calls for Zuma to step down, she said, "People don't need this shouting for the president to step down. They know what we have done to give them access to electricity, clean water and descent houses. We remain committed, however, to upholding the Constitution."

The Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa had opened 22, 617 stations for the people to register.

The elections come as the government under Zuma is facing a series of challenges, including the Nkandla scandal in which Zuma is accused of abusing public funds in security upgrades at his private home and the "state capture" by the Indian Gupta family which allegedly keeps close ties with Zuma and the ruling African National Congress (ANC).

The ANC is facing the most fierce competition from the opposition parties since the end of apartheid in 1994.

The local government elections will see political parties fighting for control of the country's metropolitans. Opposition political parties, particularly, the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), have vowed to take over Johannesburg, Pretoria and Nelson Mandela Bay municipality from the ANC.

Both the ANC and DA have launched campaigns to urge voters to vote, with both saying that their leaders would be conducting door-to-door visits to seek support.

Municipal elections are held every five years.

Voters will elect the members of the district, metropolitan and local municipal councils, who, in turn, will elect the mayors of the municipalities to office. Endit