Cape Town — As the country heads closer to the 2024 general elections, President Cyril Ramaphosa, believes that should the ANC lose power, South Africa might change for the worst.
Ramaphosa was speaking at the ANC’s 112th anniversary celebrations in Mbombela on Monday, in the lead up to the party’s annual 8 January statement set to take place on Saturday.
Ramaphosa’s message spoke about the history and impact the ANC had in turning the country’s fortunes around during the fight against the Apartheid government, recognising the efforts of fallen leaders, while also saying the ANC is the best placed organisation to lead the country to build a better future.
[WATCH] “When the ANC speaks on uniting the people of this country, we do so secure in the knowledge that we are the organisation best placed to unite the broadest cross section of people behind the cause of building a better country”
• ANC President Comrade Cyril Ramaphosa… pic.twitter.com/SejsIoMXxl
— African National Congress (@MYANC) January 8, 2024
As reported by EWN, he said that, if the ANC was to lose majority power this year, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and the social grants issued by government, may be scrapped. NSFAS currently funds roughly 1.3 million students per year, while 47% of South African rely on social grants as a source of income.
“Our policies have been pro-poor. I don’t know of any other country in the continent that has committed itself to 18 million people who receive grants, young and old, as well as an additional 10 million who get grants of R350,” Ramaphosa said.
The ANC’s two many opposition parties — the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) — claimed they were not opposed to the social grants.
“There is absolutely no child and definitely no adult who can survive with R350 or R450 per month,” said EFF Leader Julius Malema.
“The plan is that you cut expenditure on those nice to haves and you lift the grant above the poverty line,” added DA leader John Steenhuisen.
[WATCH] “The lifeblood of the ANC is our people”.
• ANC President Comrade Cyril Ramaphosa addressing the cake-cutting ceremony to mark the birthday of the ANC, 08 January 2024#ANC112 #IamANC #RegisterToVoteANC pic.twitter.com/M7uDu8mkHx
— African National Congress (@MYANC) January 9, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
