The African National Congress is confident at filling-up the over 70 000-seater Moses Mabhida Stadium as the ruling party makes their final preparations to host the Mayihlome Manifesto launch rally tomorrow, Saturday, 24 February.
ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, on Thursday, 22 February, informed the media that all preparations are in their final stages and that Moses Mabhida Stadium, as well as the party, will be ready to welcome over 70 000 comrades who will be joining them at the world-class venue.
Mbalula said that the manifesto launch coincides with their Mayihlome campaign and that the organisation has been all over the province working with its volunteers in encouraging KwaZulu-Natal communities to vote for the ANC, while listening to their needs.
On Thursday, the programmes leading to the rally started with an ANC Women’s League Umanyano Prayer for Mayihlome Rally at Westridge Tennis Stadium and thereafter proceeded to uMlazi. Mbalula said that Disaster Management and security measures have been put in place, in case of any emergency on Saturday as they expect attendees from all across the country.
Moses Mabhida Stadium can accommodate 75 000 people and if it does happen that there is an overflow of people, the ANC says they are more-than prepared to accommodate additional people on the sports field.
Deputy Secretary-General, Nomvula Makonyane, said she expects that the Durban beachfront will be painted in green, black and gold (ANC colours) as it will be one of the viewing venues for the rally.
Mbalula added that the rally will start “strictly on time” and that they are hoping to have the country’s and the ANC’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, address by 11am. Gates will be opened from 7am in the morning.
“We also have a programme at the ICC where the president will be speaking to the young and old Dintswalos as well as those who will make a pronouncements that they will vote for the ANC. We called this, ‘A Night with the President’ and it should be a well-attended event,” added Mbalula.
Nkonyane said on the day of the launch there will be demonstrations by the ANC MK veterans and other intercultural activities that show that the ANC is ready to go to battle.
