Upcoming local elections - your feelings ?

[blunomore]

I recently heard opinions to the effect that the ANC may lose a lot of votes / constituencies in the upcoming local elections.

It makes no sense to me, because 2 x years ago in the last general election, we all though that the "fed-up factor" would lead them to lose a substantial number of votes, but that did not really happen.

The person who told me that the ANC is likely to do worse in the upcoming local elections motivated it by saying that a local election is different in the sense that it is closer to the bone for all of us, since it deal with the towns/cities we live and the circumstances close to home and the services we need.

The reason why I do not agree, is that, IMO, if someone cannot see how the ANC has failed and still decided to vote for them in a general election, then surely that person will not be able to see the same thing on a local level and will still carry on with the blind loyalty displayed to the party in the last general election.

What do you think ?

 

[Albereth]

Sheep people are sheep

 

[Jola]

IMHO the masses will still vote ANC !

 

[R13...]

IMHO the masses will still vote ANC !

Sheep people are sheep

This may be why the DA is unable to make any inroads into the ANC's votes. The ANC don't just sit back & wait for the votes to roll in, they go out & campaign like it was '94! Many of us sit on the internet and say, "look at the ANC sheep" in total blissful ignorance. If there's one thing the ANC knows how to look after it's votes (not to be confused with voters). That they do well my snob friends, they have even stepped it up a bit with braais at car washes (loxion style), shisa nyamas, etc, basically just going out and getting in touch with the voters hip or not.

 

[Ronjay]

Yesterday a few ANC people were canvassing the Neighbourhood. They spoke to me about voting etc. Asked if I've had any problems with service delivery.

The thing is, even though these guys are only doing it because of there being an election coming up, at least they do it. Whereas the DA has never been to my area to find out how the people are feeling. I'm sorry, but the DA are failing to win votes from the people rather then the people just voting ANC. If the DA want more votes, they have to work for it.

 

[R13...]

Yesterday a few ANC people were canvassing the Neighbourhood. They spoke to me about voting etc. Asked if I've had any problems with service delivery.

The thing is, even though these guys are only doing it because of there being an election coming up, at least they do it. Whereas the DA has never been to my area to find out how the people are feeling. I'm sorry, but the DA are failing to win votes from the people rather then the people just voting ANC. If the DA want more votes, they have to work for it.

You see the DA sends out emails/sms. That's preaching to the choir. It's the masses they need to convince to vote for them, I see Helen out in a township somewhere dancing with the crowds. The DA are still copying the ANC & the ANC has moved on, so the DA is always several steps behind. At this rate they won't catch the ANC, the ANC has recognised the emerging black middle class and their kids and have now gone after them too.

 

[TJ99]

These last few posts show you the unfortunate truth. The ANC voters are more impressed by the one who makes a big show, gives them free t-shirts etc, than actually giving a crap about the little unimportant details, like how they run the place.

The way you are actually supposed to work for votes is to do your job, spend public money wisely and obtain the best value for that money, employ competent people, have clear goals, that sort of thing. But yes, sadly that's not so important. Driving through the streets with flags, making a ruckus and pretending to be in touch with the people gets more results.

 

[Ronjay]

You see the DA sends out emails/sms. That's preaching to the choir. It's the masses they need to convince to vote for them, I see Helen out in a township somewhere dancing with the crowds. The DA are still copying the ANC & the ANC has moved on, so the DA is always several steps behind. At this rate they won't catch the ANC, the ANC has recognised the emerging black middle class and their kids and have now gone after them too.

Exactly. How can the DA ever expect to increase their voter base if they think the best way to canvass the for them is with emails and sms's. It's very impersonal and reaches only those inclined to vote for them anyway. If the DA was serious about winning more votes and becoming a real opposition to ANC, if not winning some more provinces, then they are going to have to get their hands dirty.

 

[Ronjay]

These last few posts show you the unfortunate truth. The ANC voters are more impressed by the one who makes a big show, gives them free t-shirts etc, than actually giving a crap about the little unimportant details, like how they run the place.

The way you are actually supposed to work for votes is to do your job, spend public money wisely and obtain the best value for that money, employ competent people, have clear goals, that sort of thing. But yes, sadly that's not so important. Driving through the streets with flags, making a ruckus and pretending to be in touch with the people gets more results.

Rubbish. If doing the same old thing has got you nowhere after so many years of failing, then you have to change your strategy. I'm not an ANC supporter by the way, why does questioning the way the DA are doing things on this forum automatically make the questioner an ANC supporter? Maybe I just want to see some real change for once, instead of having ANC landslide victories. What would you prefer, being right and not winning new votes or doing something to win some votes and maybe some more provinces?

 

[TJ99]

Rubbish. If doing the same old thing has got you nowhere after so many years of failing, then you have to change your strategy. I'm not an ANC supporter by the way. What would you prefer, being right and not winning new votes or doing something to win some votes and maybe some more provinces?

Um if you read my post properly, you'd see that I agreed with you. I only said it's unfortunate that it works this way.

 

[DigitalSoldier]

Looking at recent photos on the DA website Helen Zille does go out into townships and campaign(dancing, giving tshirts away etc..), but I do agree the DA is not doing nearly enough. I have received so many calls from the ANC in 2010 asking me questions about service delivery and if I would like to join the ANC! I have though never received any calls from the DA, but I have sent them emails in the past and received no replies.

This may be why the DA is unable to make any inroads into the ANC's votes. The ANC don't just sit back & wait for the votes to roll in, they go out & campaign like it was '94! Many of us sit on the internet and say, "look at the ANC sheep" in total blissful ignorance. If there's one thing the ANC knows how to look after it's votes (not to be confused with voters). That they do well my snob friends, they have even stepped it up a bit with braais at car washes (loxion style), shisa nyamas, etc, basically just going out and getting in touch with the voters hip or not.

 

[Ronjay]

Um if you read my post properly, you'd see that I agreed with you. I only said it's unfortunate that it works this way.

Sorry, I read your post in a hurry. Thought you were trying to say I was voting for the ANC because I was canvassed by them. All I'm trying to say is that the DA need to get their @rses in gear and win some votes. I'm tired of ANC local government.

 

[R13...]

Looking at recent photos on the DA website Helen Zille does go out into townships and campaign(dancing, giving tshirts away etc..), but I do agree the DA is not doing nearly enough. I have received so many calls from the ANC in 2010 asking me questions about service delivery and if I would like to join the ANC! I have though never received any calls from the DA, but I have sent them emails in the past and received no replies.

I agree she's doing that, but she appears to be using an old ANC copybook. A good strong opposition party can only be good for this country's future especially the so called 'our people'. The DA's habit of following in the ANC's wake isn't helping as they will always be left in that wake. Their flirtation with B.I.G showed a certain desperation for the popular vote.

 

[Ronjay]

I agree she's doing that, but she appears to be using an old ANC copybook. A good strong opposition party can only be good for this country's future especially the so called 'our people'. The DA's habit of following in the ANC's wake isn't helping as they will always be left in that wake. Their flirtation with B.I.G showed a certain desperation for the popular vote.

Well, I think a little desperation is needed right now. But you're right following in the footsteps of ANC is not the way to go. DA must realize that if they want to get more votes then they have to increase their popularity, that is only going to happen if they are more visible to the voters. Canvass for votes because hoping that you are going to win on pure politics is not working.

 

[Ockie]

Maybe they must put people in as many malls as they can and hand out pamphlets....but that is regulated by the malls I think so not sure if it is allowed. There is some great pics on the DA website comparing Joburg and Cape Town. The contrast is astonishing. That is something that they must make more public.

 

[grok]

It's not about the DA or anything. The average voter will continue to vote for the only black party they know, even if they continue to rob them blind. They will not stop voting for their messiah unless they really feel it in their pocket, and lets face it, few do with all the free water/electricity & promises of housing etc.

ps. The DA was out in force at this year's Pta show. They are out there canvassing for votes.

 

[Ronjay]

It's not about the DA or anything. The average voter will continue to vote for the only black party they know, even if they continue to rob them blind. They will not stop voting for their messiah unless they really feel it in their pocket, and lets face it, few do with all the free water/electricity & promises of housing etc.

ps. The DA was out in force at this year's Pta show. They are out there canvassing for votes.

Not.

So we just have to roll over and play dead then. Not try something else and see if it works?

And Canvassing for votes in a place where they are probably going to encounter DA voters is not canvassing for new votes, people. Be it Malls or shows. They need to get amongst the people at the peoples level.

 

[JungleBoy]

It's not about the DA or anything. The average voter will continue to vote for the only black party they know, even if they continue to rob them blind. They will not stop voting for their messiah unless they really feel it in their pocket, and lets face it, few do with all the free water/electricity & promises of housing etc.

ps. The DA was out in force at this year's Pta show. They are out there canvassing for votes.

The ANC knows how to reach voters just before an election...some of their electioneering is very unconventional like this.

 

[R13...]

It's not about the DA or anything. The average voter will continue to vote for the only black party they know, even if they continue to rob them blind. They will not stop voting for their messiah unless they really feel it in their pocket, and lets face it, few do with all the free water/electricity & promises of housing etc.

ps. The DA was out in force at this year's Pta show. They are out there canvassing for votes.

There is a section of population that will continue to vote along racial lines. This is true of all the races, so what you just said there is BS!

 

[Pilgrim]

I wonder who pays for all these ANC parties? Does the DA also use ill-gotten funds to throw their parties?

Really, the ANC have a huge budget thanks to job-for-pals networks, so they can afford to splash out and throw huge parties. Problem is, how can the DA compete, if they up their "game" the ANC will only up theirs even more.

If there is one thing the ANC is good at (besides corruption) it is throwing a moerse party