With only three days left before South Africans vote in national and provincial elections, President Cyril Ramaphosa used the ruling African National Congress’ final campaign rally on Sunday to apologise for the mistakes and missteps of the party and its members.
Giving the keynote address at the ANC final rally at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, Ramaphosa appealed to the voters to trust the party with their votes, saying no other party deserves to lead the country.
Apologising to the country for the ANC’s shortcomings, the party president said that it was only those who did nothing that did not make mistakes.
He said the ANC had travelled across the country during the campaigning and had listened to people from all walks of life.
“We want to say to you: ‘We are sorry for all the mistakes we have done’,” Ramaphosa told the 62,000-strong crowd.
He added: “You have told us where service delivery has failed, where infrastructure has not been maintained, where people with authority and responsibility have stolen money. You are frustrated at the slow rate of economic growth and the grinding effects of poverty and unemployment.”
He said his party is aware of the difficulties many South Africans “continue to face in the midst of a tough economic environment, of the bills that need to be paid, of the rising cost of food, fuel and transport.”
“And so today, as the ANC, we say to the people of South Africa: We have heard you, we have listened closely and with humility. Where we have been found wanting, we accept the criticism. Where we have made mistakes, we acknowledge them without qualification,” Ramaphosa said.
He added that his party was ready to lead again, and called on South Africans to join it on a journey of hope and renewal.
NM/jn/APA