South African Ruling Party To Launch Election Manifesto

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JOHANNESBURG, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) party will reveal its election manifesto on Saturday as the country gears up for elections expected within months, Xinhua news agency reported.

The manifesto will be officially launched on Saturday when the party celebrates its 102nd anniversary in the capital of Nelspruit of the eastern province of Mpumalanga, said ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa.

"The previous manifesto focused on education, health and reducing inequality, this time it will focus on more issues with the economy featuring more seriously," Ramaphosa said.

The manifesto will also reflect achievements made by the ANC over the past 20 years in Africa's biggest economy which has a population of 53 million.

The ANC is supported by its tripartite alliance with the South African Communist Party and the Congress of the South African Trade Unions.

Founded in Bloemfontein on Jan 8, 1912, the ANC has become the largest political and ruling party in the country since democracy in 1994.

ANC president Jacob Zuma was sworn in as president for a five-year term in May 2009 after winning general elections.

The ANC is expected to win the 2014 elections despite decreasing support amid scandals, corruption and widespread unemployment.

-- BERNAMA