The African National Congress (ANC) appears to be facing challenges in rallying community support in the Western Cape as it prepares for its 113th anniversary celebrations. A viral video has highlighted tensions, showing an altercation where an ANC member was asked to leave a family’s home.
The incident, recorded by Newzroom Afrika, unfolded in a residential setting in Khayelitsha, where ANC officials were engaging with residents. In the footage, a man, visibly upset, is heard demanding the officials to leave his mother’s house. “Leave! Leave! Leave! You cannot push me in my mother’s house. You must leave! All of you!” he shouts as he holds a young child, confronting what appear to be security personnel.
The tension escalated as the man was physically restrained by bodyguards, further aggravating the situation. He was eventually escorted out of the room but continued to protest from outside, insisting that all ANC members vacate the premises.
This event occurred just days before the ANC’s planned anniversary celebration at Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha, where the party aims to reconnect with its base in a region where it has historically struggled against the Democratic Alliance (DA).
ANC’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who was present during the incident, has since issued an apology. “I apologize to the man and his mother for how my security detail handled the matter,” Mashatile stated, acknowledging the inappropriate conduct by his security team.
The video has sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with many users expressing support for the resident’s stance against the intrusion of political officials into private homes. This incident is seen by some as indicative of broader community sentiments towards the ANC in the Western Cape, where the party’s influence has waned in recent years.
As the ANC gears up for its birthday celebrations, this episode underscores the challenges the party faces in regaining support and trust in areas where it is not the dominant political force.
The ANC’s celebration is intended to highlight its historical role in South African liberation and to outline future policy directions, but incidents like these might overshadow the event’s intended message of unity and renewal.
