Many people who came out to see President Jacob Zuma in Bellville yesterday were left disappointed when they didn’t get to see Number One in person.
About 13 000 ANC supporters gathered at the Bellville Velodrome for the party’s widely advertised Siyanqoba (victory) Rally.
But there were loud groans of disappointment and anger when people learnt that Zuma would be delivering his speech on the big screen instead of in person.
The confusion may have been caused by the event poster, which read “ANC President Jacob Zuma speaks”.
Zuma was at a twin event at a packed Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.
FAR AWAY: Zuma at Ellis Park Stadium rally in Johannesburg
One irate Cape supporter remarked: “ Hai man, I could have watched this at home mos, I want to see Msholozi before I vote for him.”
But Thembeka Khubeka, 46, from Muizenberg, wasn’t bothered, just as long as she got to hear Zuma’s speech, relayed live on several huge screens in the Velodrome.
“We are ready to vote for our party and put it back in power in this city,” she says.
Meanwhile both Provincial Secretary, Faiez Jacobs, and the party’s mayoral candidate, Xolani Sotashe, said they felt like “enough had been done” in the weeks and days leading up to the elections to regain control of Cape Town.
Speaking at Ellis Park Stadium, Zuma stressed the need for his party to win back the only metro in the country they did not govern.
“No other party can govern this country… not even a white party with stooges,” he told the cheering crowd.
“The ANC must win back Cape Town and make sure transformation reaches that part as well.
“Cape Town is a tale of two cities, where the needs of the rich are prioritised, and those of the poor are not.
“The ANC will work hard to win Cape Town.”
Sotashe says the country should brace itself for “a surprise” after all the votes have been tallied.
“For the first time we went out and pulled out all the stops, the ANC will win this province after August 3,” he said.
The ANC’s campaign has been marred by several controversies including infighting over the ward councillor lists and the sidelining of Western Cape chairman provincial chairperson, Marius Fransman.
Fransman did not show up at the event and no one could explain his absence.
But party leaders say such issues should not affect the vote on Wednesday.