The African National Congress (ANC) is facing a challenging start to its efforts in rallying the community ahead of its 113th birthday celebrations in the Western Cape. Tensions within the party, compounded by a video that has gone viral, have raised questions about the party’s current standing in the region. The footage, which was captured by Newzroom Afrika, shows a confrontation between ANC officials and a family in what appears to be a living room or lounge area.
In the video, the ANC officials are seen speaking with the family when a man’s voice is heard demanding that they leave the house. Moments later, the man, carrying a young child, enters the scene, visibly agitated. He shouts, “Leave! Leave! Leave! You cannot push me in my mother’s house. You must leave! All of you!” His words are directed at the ANC officials, and as he grows more vocal, men, presumably bodyguards, attempt to intervene and escort him away from the scene.
Despite their efforts to calm the situation, the man continues to shout, insisting that the ANC representatives leave his mother’s house. His demands grow more forceful as he tells the bodyguards, “I don’t want to hear anything, you must leave.” The incident ends with the man being ushered out of the lounge, but not before making it clear that he would not tolerate the presence of the ANC officials in his family home.
The viral video has generated significant attention, adding to the unrest surrounding the ANC’s activities in the Western Cape. The party, which is preparing for its birthday celebration at the Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, has not yet issued a statement addressing the incident.
The altercation has cast a shadow over the ANC’s efforts to engage with the community ahead of its milestone celebration, with some observers questioning the party’s ability to unite local supporters. The tension is further exacerbated by reports of a rift among senior members within the party, which could complicate the situation as the ANC seeks to maintain its influence and support in the region.
