BY REGINALD KANYANE

The African National Congress (ANC) in Bokone Bophirima is pleased at the
party’s splendid performance at the Naledi Local Municipality’s Ward 1
by-elections in Stella on Wednesday.

The by-elections were necessitated by the passing of councillor, Fannie
Matlabe. ANC provincial secretary, Dakota Legoete said the ANC won by a very wide margin with 1111 votes to the Democratic Alliance’s 643.

“The Economic Freedom Fighters came in a distant third at only 213 votes while the Forum for Service Delivery managed only 13 votes. This victory of 56.11% of all the votes cast on the day. The voter turnout of 53.81% shows that our people still love ANC.

“We engaged in a partnership with our people and they recognise who is in the political space works for them. The people of Stella have once again put their faith in the ANC. It is evidence that the movement is the only one that understands our people’s needs,” Legoete said.

He further said they are prepared to walk with them on the road to the betterment of their lives. Legoete added that the leadership of the ANC in Bokone Bophirima sent gratitude to the people of Ward 1 in Stella, the local ANC leadership, the regional leadership and all volunteers who worked hard to ensure that the party once again comes out victorious.

Ward 1 newly-elected councillor, Grace Gamma said: “I am grateful and honoured to be the councillor in the area. The people’ support shows they still believe in the ruling party. Our people live in abject poverty and faced with challenges like unemployment, inequality and poverty.

“We have also experienced racism against our black community as the area is surrounded by farms. We need to give our people hope and ensure that service delivery reaches them out. We have won triumphantly and we will not disappoint them. ANC is a movement which operates on with open door policy.”

Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Provincial Chairperson, Dr Tumelontle Thiba said: “The elections went well without any hassle. We have not received any complaints from political parties and ANC won with 56.11%. The voters turn-out was 53.81%.

One of the voters, Percy Dibateng said: “I voted for the ruling party because they have a track record unlike other opposition parties. The ANC policies speak direct to the people on the ground and they have our interests at heart.

“We recognise that there are few challenges that the party is faced with, however, ANC has faced various challenges in the past. So, we believe that tranquility will prevail after elective conference in December 2017.”

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