ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has drawn inspiration from South Africa’s historic triumph over apartheid three decades ago as the ruling party seeks to rally supporters ahead of next month’s pivotal presidential election.
On Easter Sunday, Mbalula joined congregants at the Covenant Fellowship Church International in the coastal town of eSikhawini, connecting the celebration of the “resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ”, to the commemoration the 30th anniversary of the end of apartheid in South Africa.
“On this Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ,” Mbalula told worshippers. “We also celebrate 30 years since our people, through steadfast faith and struggle, rose up to defeat the injustice of apartheid.”
The Secretary-General’s invocations of South Africa’s historic transition to democracy clearly aimed to remind voters of the ANC’s iconic role in that hard-fought achievement. His Easter message framed the May 29th election as a chance to rededicate the nation to the moral principles and shared purpose that ended apartheid.
The ANC has governed South Africa since leading the resistance to overthrow the previous apartheid regime. But the party has faced mounting criticism over persistent poverty, inequality, and corruption scandals after nearly three decades in power.
With concerns swirling about election integrity, ANC leaders want maximum turnout from their base. Linking the May 29th polls to South Africa’s celebrated liberation struggle could help galvanize supporters who view the party as the protector of constitutional democracy.
But opposition parties accuse the ANC of resting on its anti-apartheid laurels while failing to combat modern scourges like poverty, crime and state corruption.
The Democratic Alliance and others are hammering the ANC’s governance record in a bid to loosen their three-decade grip on power.
