President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday received a warm welcome in KwaZulu-Natal, where he campaigned for the first time since the July riots in which more than 300 people lost their lives.
This was a change from the hostile reception he received a few days after the unrest, when some of former president Jacob Zuma's supporters were threatening to make the area a no-go zone for him.
Ramaphosa's visit to the province came a few days after Zuma released a video pleading with his supporters to vote for the ANC in the local government elections. Ramaphosa welcomed Zuma's call.
"I would expect that of him as a loyal member of the ANC, a leader of the ANC, to encourage voters to vote for the ANC."
A jovial Ramaphosa campaigned in the eThekwini region, a key metro and the only one in SA that his party governs comfortably.
Crowds gathered as Ramaphosa's convoy moved from house to house in the township of KwaMakhutha, south of Durban.
The president's choice of campaign area indicated that he was not up for a challenging campaign, as he visited wards already governed by the ANC. His day began in KwaMakhutha's ward 94, where he focused mainly on voter apathy.
"We know the people of KwaMakhutha love the ANC, but we heard that in the last election that while you voted for the ANC, some of you did not vote," he said. "That brought down the numbers for the ANC slightly. This time let us all vote for the ANC, because we agree that we love the ANC, right?"
Ramaphosa spoke of development in the area, including the construction of RDP houses and tarred roads as reasons for residents to re-elect an ANC candidate in ward 94. He told supporters that the ANC was the only party that cared for the people of SA, imploring them to ignore any other parties that asked for their votes.
"During this Covid-19 it is the ANC government that cared about you. We tried hard to get money to give you relief grants for those who are unemployed," he said. "We brought [the grant] back and even those who have not received it will get it if they qualify. We know the suffering of our people; that is why we introduced the grant."
During this Covid-19 it is the ANC government that cared about you
— Cyril Ramaphosa
Ramaphosa capitalised on the popularity of the ANC's candidate in the ward, saying: "Here you have a councillor candidate that has overseen major development. We can all agree she works hard for the community - she does not prioritise herself, but you, that is why you should vote her back."
But in Folweni, ward 95, crowds waited to express their disapproval of the ANC candidate. Transport minister Fikile Mbalula had to diffuse tensions ahead of Ramaphosa's address in the area, where there had been scuffles and fisticuffs between those for and against the candidate. Ramaphosa's arrival brought calm, however.
The president told the crowd he had heard their grievances and would see to it that they were resolved after the election, adding that party members should not take their eyes off the prize - winning the November 1 election.
Ramaphosa said he hated seeing "comrades" fight because the ANC is a party of peace and unity. "Those who are being disruptive have no discipline, they are not behaving according to ANC values. What we are here to agree on is our priority right now, which is winning the election," he said.
"The ANC works. You have water and electricity challenges here, but the ANC will fix things. Do not listen to those who say otherwise - even from within the ANC."
Ramaphosa was accompanied by KwaZulu-Natal premier Sihle Zikalala, eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda and provincial youth league leaders. The campaign was expected to visit other regions, including Moses Mabhida, General Gizenga Mpanza, Lower South Coast and Mzala Nxumalo.
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