Mbeki in Soweto as ANC ramps up election campaign

Former president Thabo Mbeki will be the first amongst the movement's heavyweights to try and convince South Africans give the governing party another chance.

The party confirmed that he will campaign in Soweto on Thursday afternoon.

The ANC has been on a campaign trail since the January 8 statement in Mpumalanga, where President Cyril Ramaphosa said the party will be working together with all alliance partners and other sectors of society.

"In  2024, we will focus, on working together to accelerate the reconstruction of our economy, deliver quality basic services and infrastructure, renew the ANC and society, fight crime and corruption, rejuvenate our nation and contribute towards a better Africa and world," he said.

Following the launch of the party's manifesto at Moses Mabhida Stadium in KwaZulu Natal, Ramaphosa has travelled to various parts of the country.

He was back in KZN over the weekend, where he confirmed that all the party's former party leaders,  members of the national executive committee, and cabinet ministers will be on the ground to secure votes. 

This includes former deputy presidents David Mabuza and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former president Kgalema Motlanthe and former National Assembly speaker Baleka Mbete.

Mbeki has in the recent past expressed disappointment at what he believes to have been broken promises by Ramaphosa, particularly for failing to implement the resolution to renew the party. 

When he delivered the eulogy at the memorial service of his former deputy foreign affairs minister, Aziz Pahad, Mbeki reiterated his concerns that the party has failed to make progress in implementing the renewal resolution.

However, Mbeki has chosen to remain loyal to the party despite his concerns. 

He recently criticised former president Jacob Zuma for announcing his support for the MK party while choosing to remain an ANC member.

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