Johannesburg – The victory ANC attained during the election was bitter sweet for the party as they did not have the support of the media leading to the big day, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba said on Saturday night.

“This was an election where all odds were against us as the ANC,” he said at the victory party in Johannesburg’s CBD.

“Many media houses chose to endorse the opposition.

“Opposition parties were also united in unseating the ANC.”

Victorious

He said despite the challenges and negative playing field leading to the election, party volunteers were the reason the party was successful and he praised their efforts.

“We have come out not only victorious but resoundingly victorious.

“The volunteers did all the work.

“This resounding victory we are celebrating is because of them and people of SA who defied the negative talks about the ANC and refused to listen to the things that were being said,” said Gigaba.

Job creation

He said the party was not taking the victory for granted and promised to hit the ground running once the president was inaugurated.

He said the party would make the next five years the best in SA history.

Gigaba said the party would strengthen their efforts towards job creation and support small businesses in the process.

Education would also receive special attention.

“We will focus on education and ensure children under seven have access to education.

“We will focus on the fight against crime and corruption within the private sector,” Gigaba said.

– SAPA