Publications
Partners
President Jacob Zuma at Orlando Stadium. Picture: PresidencyZA
Of course, the annual June 16 rally, addressed by President Jacob Zuma, is a government event. But it would be naive to think that with some six weeks before the August 3 municipal elections, ANC members would not be tempted to turn the event today at Orlando stadium into rally for votes.
So, City Press went to the event to see whether Zuma would rise to the occasion, in what would be the biggest platform to convince young voters to choose the ANC.
Would he speak their language or give his usually dreary speech? Would his address be full of sound bites as he is already in election mode?
A few metres away from Orlando stadium, on the eastern wing entrance, the first signs of political partisanship started to emerge.
A group of about 70 people dressed in ANC colours marched down the road, hoisting the party’s flag high up. Their numbers were slightly matched by kids in school uniform.
A few red berets visible had the ANC youth league logo.
The stadium entrance resembled an ANC flea market, with party branded dresses, shirts, doeks, jackets, t-shirts, caps and hats on sale.
A white Nissan bakkie playing ANC struggle songs provided the soundtrack to the flea market. A copy of the CD, titled Tsunami and branded: Vote ANC, sold for R30. The artist is Mzi from Durban in KwaZulu-Natal – Zuma’s home province.
Once through the gates “the community” got food packages and a white June 16 t-shirt with a government logo. Some got a piece of fried chicken, bread, a fruit and a 300ml soft drink.
The ANC slogans got louder inside the stadium precinct. A young man said the ANC branches in Ward 33 and 34 in Molapo township transported them to the stadium. The two ANC branches filled a 90-seater bus.
Two young girls in school uniform were carrying miniature SA flags. Some in the group spoke cheerfully about how they came to see award winning hip hop artist, Emtee. He is among the celebrity-packed line up.
Then the ANC Women’s League brigade arrived in their trademark green blouses. Some could not bear the chilly breeze inside the stadium and covered the green blouses with thick coats.
For the next two hours, Orlando Stadium was one big party with music from DJs.
Around midday, master of ceremonies Buti Manamela announced that Zuma and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa would be coming in.
Minutes later the presidential entourage made its way onto the field for a lap of honour. The crowd sprang to their feet. They cheered, whistled and ululated. Zuma and Ramaphosa fervently waved back.
Manamela paid salutations to the youth of 1976, Hector Pieterson, Morris Isaacson High School and Zuma.
Gauteng premier David Makhura took to the podium and said young people came from all over Gauteng to listen to Zuma. What would the earlier “Emtee-crazy” squad think of his comments?
The party mood died as soon as speakers took to the podium and the voice from the speakers struggled to rise over the crescendo of chit chats.
One old man sitting next to the City Press team was already asleep. The bright yellow ANC hat covered his face.
#June16 two older men sitting next to me have been fast asleep even before Zuma took to the podium.
— setumo stone (@setumostone) June 16, 2016
Manamela returned to the microphone and saluted senior ANC members Popo Molefe and Billy Masetlha, as well as Seth Mazibuko.
The next speaker, a young lady, said she spoke on behalf of the families of those who died on June 16 1976. But she was hardly audible.
After a song performance that started with a rendition of Brenda Fassie’s “Black President,” Zuma stepped to the podium and greeted everyone important.
Some learners at the back started singing but they were quickly shouted down. A much bigger group to the left continued singing.
Zuma continued with what sounded like a political lecture. Another older man sitting to the left also dozed off.
Almost 20 minutes into Zuma’s speech and there was no single round of applause from the crowd.
Even when he mentioned tablets that have been given to school children in Gauteng, the achievements of the NSFAS, the commission of inquiry in free education that he has appointed, there was still little response.
There were now more empty seats in the stadium.
Then Zuma switched from English to Zulu, speaking about the problem of bullying of teachers and learners in some schools.
Then back to English. He wanted outlets that sell liquor to school children to be clamped down. He wanted drug users to seek help.
It took up to 35 minutes for Zuma’s speech to draw a mild round of applause from the crowd. He spoke against so-called sex stokvels and sex parties.
He seemed to enjoy the moment, repeating his message again in Zulu. For the first time his speech sounded conversational, but, that only lasted a moment.
The crowd held on for some more minutes until Zuma mentioned Emtee, throwing them into a frenzy.
The two teenage girls at the front sprang up on their feet to see if Emtee was with Zuma on stage. They were to be disappointed.
But Zuma was yet to get his biggest cheer from the crowd. And all he had to say was: “Thank you,” as he concluded his speech.
