Ramaphosa reminds media outlets to prioritise unbiased and fair reporting

President Cyril Ramaphosa has drawn praise and criticism for expressing his excitement about the large crowds during his campaign trail.

RAMAPHOSA SINGS PRAISE ON THE SUPPORT HE RECEIVED BUT CRITICISED BY THE NATION

Addressing a gathering in Botshabelo, Bloemfontein, Free State, Ramaphosa stated he visited because he was informed that the community strongly supports the African National Congress (ANC).

“I am grateful to see so many of you. I was told that this is the home of the ANC. They said ANC sleeps here, wakes up here, walks, runs and plays here – it does all these things here,” said the president.

According to The Citizen, Ramaphosa noted that the significant turnout of ANC volunteers at the Thabo VD Chabeli Sports Ground suggested a favourable outcome for the party in the forthcoming elections.

He mentioned having positive engagements with the people of Free State, offering them encouragement, and attentively hearing their aspirations and concerns.

Ramaphosa stirred controversy last week by advising a young woman from Orange Farm to “keep searching” for a job. 

While some defended him, citing constraints, others criticised his response for lacking empathy.

During a media briefing, Ramaphosa expressed concern about the rapid growth of informal settlements in Botshabelo.

He presented two options for addressing infrastructure development and human settlements.

However, this statement also triggered a backlash on social media, with many accusing the president of “excessive lying.” Others suggested improving border management to curb the influx of informal settlements.

Ramaphosa urged media outlets to maintain fairness and impartiality in their reporting.

 He noted that while the media often focuses on negative aspects, they should highlight positive achievements.

The ANC leader expressed his support for media freedom but emphasised his desire for balanced reporting, urging the media to cover both positive and negative aspects.

ANC’S SUPPORT FALLS TO 40.2% AS ZUMA’S MK PARTY THREATENS TO SIPHON VOTES

Views vary widely on whether to seriously take the uMkhonto Wesizwe party and its leader, Jacob Zuma. While some view its manifesto as a farce, others argue it could garner significant voter support. 

According to Daily Maverick, since the ANC came into power, disgruntled leaders have splintered to establish parties like the United Democratic Movement, the Congress of the People, and the EFF.

 The emergence of the uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK) party, led by former president Jacob Zuma, is further eroding ANC support as members defect or remain ambivalent. 

Zuma, synonymous with State Capture, persists in legal battles with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) over his election participation.

According to BusinessTech, support for South Africa’s ruling African National Congress is plunging, and a party backed by former President Jacob Zuma may become the country’s third-biggest after next month’s election, a new opinion poll shows.