Photography by Rofhiwa Maneta

ANC members gathered at their headquarters in Luthuli House today in anticipation of DA’s march “for real jobs”. As it turns out, the affair was a damp squib as the DA didn’t show up and the march was postponed pending a renewed application from the DA. This didn’t stop the ANC’s members – young and old – from having a good time. They were out in full song, singing struggle songs and expressing their views on topics ranging the future of the ANC to the upcoming elections.

There seems to a consensus among the members that the ANC will definitely win the upcoming elections and that the public should cut Jacob Zuma some slack. Twenty year old Mawanda Letsima from Ekhuruleni said they believe “the ANC is doing it’s best and the public should give them a chance.” He went on further to say that “the ANC was making great strides such as providing free education and improving the general conditions of black people.”

Mamello Hlasa, from Orlando East, shares these sentiments. A member of ANC’s recruitment group, she was there to canvass (recruit potential ANC members). She also holds the view that ANC is vilified too often and that the youth should never forget the liberties provided to them by the ANC.

“The ANC has brought a better life for black people. There’s free housing, healthcare and even the freedom of movement. Years ago we wouldn’t even be allowed to have this march,” she stated.

And while most had conservative views, others were more radical about their views. Simphiwe and Kgopolang (who are 18 and 19 respectively) from Moleleki, Alberton are of the opinion that the ANC will “rule  South Africa until Jesus comes back” and that the DA did “well not to show up to the march.” They added: “we wont let the opposition come to our house and disrespect us. They don’t respect us. They want to take over and repeat racism but that won’t happen under our watch. We won’t let the opposition corrupt us and turn the ANC into a party of sell outs like the DA.”

Towards the end of the rally, a JMPD representative handed out a report saying that the DA’s march had been postponed. “A new date for the march will be applied for and communicated,” the statement read.

As we left the rally, a young ANC member made a striking statement. He reminded us that the march was more about the ANC than it was about Jacob Zuma.

“I’m not here for Jacob Zuma. I’m here for the ANC,” he concluded.

Follow me on Twitter: @RofhiwaManeta

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