ANC press statement on the outcome of elections and possible coalition

The African National Congress in Eastern Cape together with its alliance partners the in SACP, COSATU and SANCO convened a successful Special Extended Provincial executive (PEC) meeting on Sunday, the 7th August 2016 at Osner Hotel in Dr. W.B. Rubusana Region. The aim of the meeting was to reflect on our election campaign, to evaluate the results and to map a way forward for the ANC in the Province.

As a liberation movement, we deeply thank all South Africans for exercising their hard fought right to vote in these elections. We do so conscious of the fact that principally, democratic elections are an expression of self-determination by the citizens to produce a legitimate government that is in accordance with the wishes of the people. We moreover, want to convey our most sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the more than two-thirds of the people of our province who voted for the ANC.

The election results for the Province remain overwhelmingly positive with 67.1% of voters declaring the ANC as their political home, where roughly 3.2 million people out of 4.8 million, the ANC controls 37 out of 39 municipalities in the Province. We further note that an overwhelming 91% victory of the ANC at ward level in the Province cannot be understated.

Our success in municipalities include victories in municipalities which had been highly contested in Buffalo City Metropolitan (BCM) and King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipalities among others. In BCM, the ANC managed to receive 58.7% votes, while in KSD, the ANC received 63% of votes. As a result, the ANC continues to be both honoured and humbled by the overwhelming confidence and trust that many South Africans demonstrate towards the ANC. The ANC further appreciates the progressive and reinforcing role contributed by the alliance partners in the Province. In the same vein, we must reaffirm our manifesto commitments that “a vote for the ANC is a vote for delivery of quality services, development of local economies and integration of communities in urban and rural areas”.

While we have received overwhelming support from the people, we equally acknowledge that there are areas wherein our support had declined and absolute control lost. As the ANC we must confirm that we have clearly heard the voice of the people as expressed by the decline in our votes. We understand this message clearly that if we don’t pull up our socks, deliver with speed on our commitments, and generally provide leadership that inspires hope and confidence, then you will vote otherwise. Here, as the movement, we will engage in deeper conversations and introspection with the people, with an aim of being self-critical and self-correcting.

In relation to Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan, we must also acknowledge that the outgoing municipal administration with interventions that have been deployed embody the building blocks are in place have been put in place to improve service delivery in the Metro. The ANC PEC agreed on a political imperative to cooperate through a progressive coalition with parties that agrees with transformation, progressive agenda which agrees with correcting the imbalances of the past. We hope and trust that the discussion will carry the aspirations of the voters.

The PEC further acknowledged Women’s Month, which is an important tribute to years of waging of struggle against patriarchy and the extension of Pass Laws to women. The PEC wishes to recognise the 60th year anniversary of the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL), which takes place in Tshwane on Tuesday, 9th August 2016. The ANC in Eastern Cape salutes the tremendous legacy left behind by the likes of Lillian Ngoyi, Charlotte Maxeke Helen Joseph, Sophie de Bruin, and others who laid their lives for the attainment of our freedom.

NB: This statement must be attributed to the ANC EC Provincial Secretary Oscar Mabuyane.

For more information please contact ANC Eastern Cape Acting Communications Officer Judy Ngoloyi on 073 117 6194. Email: judy.ngoloyi@gmail.com