PAC hits campaign trail after leadership fight ends

THE PAC in Nelson Mandela Bay yesterday drummed up support for next month’s general elections, telling residents the party was ready to govern if given the chance.

Once a force to be reckoned with in South African politics, for the last three years the party has been rocked by a power struggle between former president Letlapa Mphahlele and new leader Alton Mphethi. The court has ruled in favour of the latter.

Former ANC Kwazakhele chairman turned PAC regional organiser Mawande Mkonto said the party had not been visible because of internal squabbles.

“We are here to show the masses that the PAC is still alive. Just like any political party, we have had our internal problems but we have resolved them now and we are starting to campaign for the elections. We are moving forward now.

“We have seen it with COPE with Mosiuoa Lekota and Mbaziwa Shilowa and we have seen it with the ANC with [President] Jacob Zuma and [former president] Thabo Mbeki. Leaders come and go but the idea remains the same.

“We understand that the PAC has not been visible enough but we have sorted our internal issues now and if the electorate can trust us, we can show them we are ready to govern this country. We are a government in waiting,” Mkonto said.

The party was campaigning in Daku Street, handing out fliers outside the shopping centres and signing up new members.

Party workers received mixed reaction from residents, some saying they had only heard of the party while others said they would vote for them.

Nomfusi Mahala, 61, of Veeplaas said: “I am still assessing the current government because we still have houses and schools to be built, but we are losing hope because of corruption.”

Thembile Ndala, 27, of Daku, said: “There are no jobs and corruption is rife. I will put my faith in the PAC and hope they will bring about the change we need.”

Thabisa Faku, 25, of Njoli, said she was still undecided about which party she would vote for.

Mkonto claimed 91 people had signed up. “There are success indicators from the masses. South Africans believe the country will be in good hands when the PAC takes over.”

- Mkhululi Ndamase