South Africa: Anti-apartheid hero urges voters to shun ANC

Ronnie Kastrils

Ronnie Kasrils

One of South Africa’s ruling party stalwarts will launch a campaign urging voters to shun the African National Congress in upcoming polls in protest at rampant corruption in government, media reported on Monday.

Ronnie Kasrils and other anti-apartheid struggle veterans will on Tuesday launch a ‘No Vote’ campaign to encourage South Africans not to cast their ballots for the African National Congress (ANC) or simply spoil their ballots on election day.

“Given the state of politics in South Africa today, with a lot of people feeling they are just so fed up…, we are saying at least go and you can spoil that ballot paper,” he told the independent eNCA news channel.

“It is like toyi-toying on paper,” he said referring to the dance usually performed at protest gatherings or marches.

“You spoil that ballot paper, it does say something,” he said.

Ronnie Kasrils
Ronnie Kasrils

He told the public broadcaster that his proposed campaign is like “hard love, love can be hard.. we love the ANC,” Kasrils said.

The outspoken veteran leader has slammed graft in the ANC-led administration, including overspending on the $23 million state-funded refurbishments on President Jacob Zuma’s private home.

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Zuma will seek a second five-year term in the May 7 vote, seen as South Africa’s most fiercely fought elections since 1994, when apartheid ended.

The former liberation movement is facing declining support, amid increasing disillusionment among its grassroot supporters.

ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe, has poured scorn on the campaign, saying “all I can do is wish him luck” while the party’s youth wing suggested Kasrils see a psychologist.

The ANC which has governed since 1994, has faced increased criticism over its inability to curb corruption.

Several high ranking government officials have in recent years been implicated in corruption scandals.

The ‘Sidikiwe’ (we’ve had enough) ‘Vukani’ (wake up), no vote campaign will be launched at a university in Johannesburg.

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