ANC changed lives since 1994: Ramaphosa

The ANC, over the past 20 years has built 3.3 million houses benefiting 16 million of our people. No one else has the ability and the capacity to do what the ANC has done,” he told supporters at the launch of the party's Gauteng provincial manifesto.

   

We have made progress and South Africa is a different place from what it was in 1994. Only the ANC could have done that. The ANC government is determined to reduce the number of informal settlements one by one until all our people live in better houses."

   

He said despite criticism regarding the quality and state of education in the country, great improvements have been made.

   

We are making progress in education (even though) others feel that we are not making any. The matric results are a clear demonstration of that, our children ... have made us proud. Gauteng has improved, coming third compared to other provinces.

   

Those (provinces) who used to be number one status, because they have now been reduced to number six, they are now saying there is something wrong and we need to investigate. There is nothing we are going to investigate,” he said.

   

Regarding poverty alleviation, Ramaphosa said government was providing social grants to 16 million South Africans.

   

Social grants have been increased from three million to 16 million people.

   

"A total of 16 million of our people now get support and assistance from their government and this means we are addressing the issue of poverty, he said.

   

Ramaphosa told the crowd that he was delivering the party’s best manifesto” dedicated to late former president Nelson Mandela.

   

Through this manifesto we are moving this country forward. Many political parties haven’t released their manifestos and we wonder what they are waiting for. We suspect they are locked in their dark rooms, copying from our manifesto, he said.

 

This manifesto is not just empty promises, it is about the future of South Africa. We have made significant progress in the last 20 years. When you read our manifesto, read it looking at what we have done in the last 20 years.

   

Regarding newly-formed political parties, Ramaphosa said the mushrooming opponents do not have the capacity to run the administration of the country.

   

"Our achievements in the last 20 years provide a firm foundation on which we can build a better South Africa for everyone," he said.

   

"Our achievements demonstrate that the ANC is the only organisation that has the ability, experience and commitment to lead the ongoing struggle for a better life for all. We have the experience, we are not mafikizolo (newcomers)," he said.

   

Ramaphosa urged the crowd to shun the new inexperienced political parties.

   

"We have been governing this country for the last 20 years and we know what we are talking about. We know what we are doing. They arrive today and they think they can hoodwink the people of South Africa saying they can run South Africa better. We know they won't have the experience, ability and capacity to do so."

   

"Only the ANC has to go back to the Union Buildings to continue to build South Africa, not all these other mickey-mouse parties that are pretending as if they will be able to run South Africa," he said.

   

Several members of the SA Communist Party in red regalia were also in the stadium. Entertainment at the event was provided by numerous artists including Doctor Malinga, Solly Moholo and Oskido.

   

-Sapa