Elections 2024: Mbeki says despite his criticism of the ANC, he remains a solid member

JOHANNESBURG - With the African National Congress (ANC) predicted to lose some provinces after the elections, its former president Thabo Mbeki is in Soweto waiving the party’s flag.

After being skeptical about whether he’ll campaign for the party, Mbeki led a walkabout at the Jabulani Mall on Thursday afternoon.

READ: Former president Mbeki to lead ANC election campaign in Soweto

Dozens of Soweto residents came out to meet and greet the former president as the ANC sets its eyes on an overwhelming victory.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of his campaign on Thursday, Mbeki says despite his criticism against the ANC he remains a solid member of the party.

"I have not put aside my concerns. The concerns that are expressed by the people when the people say 'we are unhappy about this, about the other, about the ANC those concerns are genuine and we must attend to them that's why when I say vote for ANC we are also making a commitment to the people that we will attend to these problems within the ANC itself."

MBEKI CONCERNED ABOUT INTERNAL ISSUES THAT HAVE TARNISHED ANC’S IMAGE

He assured Soweto residents that the party would get its house in order.

The former president has been vocal about the quality of leaders in the party and the corruption allegations some of them are facing.

Just a few days after ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa was heard in a leaked recording insisting the party’s campaign wasn’t felt on the ground, Mbeki joined the party’s campaign trail.

Mbeki is among several ANC veterans who have vehemently criticised the party for failing to get its ducks in a row and allowing corrupt officials to tarnish the image of the former liberation party.

But he says his decision to campaign for the ANC doesn’t mean he is satisfied with the organisation’s efforts to renew itself.