The ANC top six led by party President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the traditional leaders in Limpopo. The top six officials began their visit at Dzanani to meet Vhavenda King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana before they left to Mavambe in Malamulele to meet Tsonga and Shangaan traditional leaders. The party visits were
concluded by meeting traditional leaders of Bapedi and Balobedu.
The visit was part of the programmes initiated by the newly elected leadership to connect with traditional leaders to get their blessings. In some parts of Kwazulu Natal and Eastern Cape, the party officials laid wreaths to graves of former presidents such as Josiah Gumede, Chief Albert Luthuli and Nelson Mandela.
The ANC president has re-iterated his call that traditional leaders were part of those who formed the organization in 1912. He promised to come back and meet people at large because the traditional leaders have welcomed them to walk around their areas. He also assured the traditional leaders and members of the public that the ANC will be renewed and be able to renew the country.
Ramaphosa was speaking at a time when South Africans are worried that under the leadership of Jacob Zuma, the party reflected the character of arrogance and unchecked power. The pressure keeps mounting from the public to see a rehabilitated organisation that appears morally stable and committed to empower the previously marginalised people not politically connected elites. “We want the ANC to attract its people again and restore the love our people used to have,” Ramaphosa adds.
Ramaphosa has indicated that his party is on a charm offensive and campaign mode as it gears up for the 2019
general elections. He reminded the people that ANC was still strong and united which is contrary to the recent sentiments of ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule who recently told party members in Kwazulu-
Natal that the real ANC will emerge after five years. Ramaphosa didn’t mince his words when he signaled the warning against ‘rotten tomatoes’ from within the party who need to be removed.
Ramaphosa received a round of applause from traditional leaders for his assurance that the organisation is committed to taking back the stolen land without compensation. He however re-iterated his consistent position that it should be done in a manner that doesn’t collapse the economy and threaten food security.
