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S.Africa's Ramaphosa, Zuma put on united front at ANC rally

A helicopter flies a giant flag from the South African ruling Party African National Congress urging people to register to vote for the upcoming elections in Durban on January 1, 2019. PHOTO | AFP

By  AFP

What you need to know:

  • Ramaphosa took power last year after Zuma was forced to resign by ANC lawmakers when he lost control of the party's internal power struggle.

  • An IPSOS survey published last week predicted that the ANC would secure around 61 percent of the vote in the general election.

DURBAN

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa and his graft-tainted predecessor Jacob Zuma put on a united front Tuesday at the ANC's anniversary celebrations ahead of key national elections in May.

Ramaphosa and Zuma sat next to each other at events marking the 107th birthday of the ruling party held in the former president's stronghold province of KwaZulu-Natal.

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"I'm delighted that today we are also here working with our former president... showing a real face of unity," Ramaphosa told party activists.

The governing African National Congress heads to the polls in May in elections that it is forecast to win.

But the party of Nelson Mandela has been weakened by corruption scandals, factional in-fighting and the country's poor economic performance.

Ramaphosa took power last year after Zuma was forced to resign by ANC lawmakers when he lost control of the party's internal power struggle.

Under Zuma, the ANC suffered in popularity winning less than 54 percent of the vote in local elections in 2016 -- its worst electoral performance since coming to power in 1994. It also lost control of key cities including Pretoria and Johannesburg.

An IPSOS survey published last week predicted that the ANC would secure around 61 percent of the vote in the general election.

Ramaphosa said Zuma still had a role to play in the party, adding he "has always worked and is working hard for the ANC".

Zuma faces 16 charges of fraud, corruption, and racketeering related to a 1990s arms deal struck when he was deputy president.

A judicial investigation is also probing alleged nepotism and corruption during his years as president.

Zuma retains influence in the ANC, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal province.

Party supporters chanted "Zuma! Zuma!" after Ramaphosa finished his hour-long speech.

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