South Africans are frustrated by the current state of the nation and those who have always voted for the ruling African National Congress are ready to vote for another party in polls set for 8 May, opposition Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said on Sunday.
Speaking at an IFP election rally in KwaMashu, Durban, Buthelezi criticised the ANC for allegedly turning a blind eye to corruption in its midst, saying that there was nothing to suggest that the party would self-correct.
“The President (Cyril Ramaphosa) himself has lamented that South Africa experienced nine wasted years under his predecessor [Jacob Zuma]. That is almost a decade in which we went backwards in terms of development, growth, and social cohesion.
“The result is a stagnant economy, staggering unemployment, and a society that is deeply unjust. Sadly, we have not changed course, because the people steering our ship of state are still the same,” Buthelezi said.
A total of 48 parties are contesting the forthcoming elections.
“We have never had so many parties contest an election. But then we have never had so much frustration over the state of our nation,” Buthelezi said.
He unveiled the IFP’s election bus at the rally.
The IFP leadership will on Monday board the branded bus to take their campaign to various communities across the province, culminating with another rally at the party’s stronghold in Ulundi on Friday.
NM/jn/APA