ANC media statement post Election Manifesto launch in East London

12 January 2009

The African National Congress (ANC) which held an historic and highly successful launch of its Election Manifesto on 10 January 2009, is extending its appreciation and thanks the people of the Eastern Cape and those that travelled from other parts of the country to attend the watershed gathering.

Not since the release of former ANC President Nelson Mandela from Robben Island Prison have we seen such public outpouring of support for Africa's oldest liberation movement, which has just celebrated 97 years of existence - almost a century. This is - once again - a demonstration of the peoples' unwavering support when it comes to endorsing the ANC and its programmes. In line with the vision of the Manifesto, we have done so much in the past 15 years of ANC rule in Government and we promise to do more.

We would also like to thank the police, ANC marshals and volunteers who have done an exceptionally good job in crowd control, considering the fact that we had expected 70 000 people and over 100 000 attended the gathering at ABSA stadium and the adjacent Jan Smuts Stadium.

That people thronged into ABSA and the adjacent Jan Smuts stadium - something unprecedented in South African politics - debunked any myth that the ANC's mass support was being eroded in the Eastern Cape. The ANC support remains unshaken.

We have also witnessed a wave of shift in political support from the opposition to the ANC. At Mbashe over 1000 members joined the ANC. About 900 former UDM members, including its Women's League president crossed over to the ANC.

The ANC is deeply saddened by the deaths of two people during the rally. One woman died after suffering an epileptic seizure at the stadium, while another died after being hit by a bus outside the stadium. Another woman was injured when a section of the crowd moved from the overflow venue to the main stadium. She is recovering in hospital

The ANC's Deputy Secretary General Thandi Modise has visited the families of the women to convey the organisation's sympathies and condolences. The ANC will provide all necessary support to the families of the deceased.

The ANC deeply regrets these tragic incidents. We once again extend our sympathies to the families and friends of those who passed away. Police have opened a docket on the incident and we are awaiting a post mortem report on the other death.

Issued by African National Congress

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