JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – SOUTH Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) is making the most of its 104th anniversary celebration in Rustenburg to entice support in the region that rival parties dominate.

Ahead of the event scheduled for the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, the party has deployed its leaders to the region.

Leading the procession is the party President, Jacob Zuma, Secretary General Gwede Mantashe, Treasurer-General Zweli Mkhize and Deputy Secretary General Jessie Duarte.

The party leaders are conducting the walk-about and blitz while criss-crossing the entire North West province ahead of the anniversary celebrations.

ANC spokesman, Zizi Kodwa, said the four leaders would be active in such places as Bojanala, the Marikana Human Settlement, Rustenburg city centre, Itsoseng Taxi Rank, Borolelelo, Swartruggens, Damonsville, Moloretele Derdig and Makapastaad areas.

The North West is seen a stronghold of the country’s third main opposition party, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA).

ANC will thus face a stiff contest in the forthcoming local government elections.

The waning of its fortunes has been attributed to the killing of more than 40 miners by police in 2012.

Opposition parties accuse ANC Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, then with a stake at Lonmin, as having a hand in the orders to kill the mine workers.

– CAJ News