The African National Congress has started the process of preparing for the national election expected to be held next year. The party brought together different sectors of the community to give input in the drafting of its manifesto.
ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa says the manifesto should not only be based on the issues of party’s card carrying members, but should speak to all South Africans.
The national election will be hotly contested as political parties are preparing themselves for a tough campaign. The country faces a host of challenges such as economic growth and unemployment.
In recent times, the issue of corruption has dominated the news with the State Capture scandal. Some of these issues have dampened voters’ spirits.
The ANC president believes as the party drafts the manifesto, it will need to be appealing to all.
The ANC’s head of policy Jeff Radebe said the party will embark on a listening campaign with the aim of soliciting input from ordinary South Africans.
The participants at the workshop have been divided into nine working groups. The document will be handed to the ANC’s National Working Committee where it will be refined before it is sent to party structures.
But for the ANC to be able to sell their election document, unity within the party will be crucial. The party has experienced internal divisions that are likely to derail the oldest liberation movement on the continent during the 2019 polls.
