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President Jacob Zuma says he takes no issue with the absence of former president Thabo Mbeki on the campaign trail and is confident that Mbeki’s loyalties at the polls will still be with the ANC.
Responding to a question from City Press while on the campaign trail in Maboloka, north of Brits in the North West, a week before the August 3 polls, the president said he did not see it fit to discuss individual choices.
Stalwarts and former leaders of the ANC have come out in their numbers to give their support to the ruling party on the campaign trail including Ahmed Kathrada, Kgalema Motlanthe and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
“We make choices as individuals. We joined organisations because we made that choice as an individual. And as an individual you can make your choice – how far do you go, how far do you work. And I don’t think I would want to discuss individual choices,” Zuma said.
“I think comrade Mbeki, the former president, has made a statement. He is a member of the ANC in good standing. That is wonderful and I know what he is going to be voting for.
“You don’t know the reasons ... he may be busy ... why he is not campaigning or whatever. He may not feel like campaigning for whatever reasons. I don’t think that is a matter we need to take a lot of time about. The fact of the matter is that not all members of the ANC campaign anyway. So there is no problem.”
