Excitement over Zuma's re-election
2012-12-18 17:46
Video
2012-12-18 15:25
After being re-elected as ANC president for another term, President Jacob Zuma addressed thousands of delegates at Mangaung with the traditional singing and dancing. Watch. WATCH
Bloemfontein - Victorious supporters of President Jacob
Zuma sang struggle songs and waved posters after he was re-elected as ANC
president on Tuesday.
While messages of support were delivered in the main
marquee, Zuma supporters continued to celebrate outside.
"We are happy that he retained his position. We are
also glad that the NEC went according to our will. There were people who were
snakes in the leadership and went about saying things against the leadership of
the ANC," said Sipho Nkosi of Ophongolo, in KwaZulu-Natal.
"It was the media that portrayed [Kgalema] Motlanthe
as a formidable force. We, the members knew that he would not win," Nkosi
added.
He said his province had voted for Zuma because he had
delivered according to the mandate he received when he was elected president in
the 2007 Polokwane conference.
Jessica Ramoroko, 35, of Moretele in North West was also
ecstatic.
"I’m so happy. Zuma was the first president since
1994, who came to our rural area. He understands the needs of the people and is
a humble man," she said.
Sombu Ngwenya, 50, of Ekurhuleni could barely contain her
excitement.
"He [Zuma] persevered during hard times when
[Julius] Malema was insulting him left and right. He never grew hatred against
him.
"He has delivered according to the Polokwane mandate
so we want him to continue," said Ngwenya.
Thulani Mavimbela, 36, also of KwaZulu-Natal, said they
chose Zuma because of his humility.
"He is the man of the people. He is not
pompous," he said.
Another woman who did not want to be named only said:
"We beat them 6-0." ANC national executive committee member Tony
Yengeni said: "These elections were just democracy at play."
- SAPA
