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South Africa holds final rallies Mandela boost for ANC supporters
(about 1 hour later)
Rival political parties in South Africa are holding their final rallies ahead of the country's general election. Former South African president Nelson Mandela has made an unexpected appearance at the governing ANC party's final pre-election rally.
Tens of thousands of supporters of the governing ANC are about to listen to party leader Jacob Zuma give a keynote speech in Johannesburg. Wearing an ANC top, Mr Mandela, 90, was cheered by supporters ahead of a speech by party leader Jacob Zuma.
Breakaway party, Cope, is also holding its final rally, in Limpopo province.
Mr Zuma is expected to become president after Wednesday's poll, the most competitive since the end of apartheid in South Africa in 1994.Mr Zuma is expected to become president after Wednesday's poll, the most competitive since the end of apartheid in South Africa in 1994.
Breakaway party Cope was also holding its final rally, in Limpopo province.
But the BBC's Peter Biles, in Johannesburg, says Cope - The Congress of the People - has changed the political landscape since it was launched four months ago.But the BBC's Peter Biles, in Johannesburg, says Cope - The Congress of the People - has changed the political landscape since it was launched four months ago.
Made up largely of former African National Congress members, the latest opinion polls indicate that Cope could get as much as 15% of the national vote.Made up largely of former African National Congress members, the latest opinion polls indicate that Cope could get as much as 15% of the national vote.
'Tougher fight''Tougher fight'
Thousands of ANC supporters, dressed in the party's colours of green, gold and black thronged central Johannesburg on Sunday morning - with Mr Zuma's face staring out from flags, banners and T-shirts, reports said. Crowds at the ANC's Johannesburg rally broke into rapturous applause as Mr Mandela came into the Ellis Park stadium in a golf cart, alongside Mr Zuma.
The emergence of Cope has changed the political landscape The rare public appearance by Mr Mandela is seen as clear endorsement of Mr Zuma
Crowds at the Ellis Park rally broke out into chants of "Mandela, Mandela" as Mr Zuma arrived alongside 90-year-old Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first black president. Correspondents say the rare public appearance by Mr Mandela is a clear endorsement of Mr Zuma.
The pair drove into the stadium in Soweto in a golf cart, with Mr Mandela, wearing an ANC T-shirt. South Africa's first black president urged the ANC to remember its main task was to eradicate poverty and build a united, non-racial society.
"As we strive to secure a decisive victory for our organisation in the upcoming elections we must remember our primary task. It is to eradicate poverty and ensure a better life for all," he said in a brief pre-recorded message played as he sat on the stage.
"The ANC has the historical responsibility to lead our nation and help build a united non-racial society," he added.
The ANC is hoping to repeat the success of five years ago when it secured a two-thirds majority in parliament, but this time, it is going to be a lot tougher, our correspondent says.The ANC is hoping to repeat the success of five years ago when it secured a two-thirds majority in parliament, but this time, it is going to be a lot tougher, our correspondent says.
On Saturday, thousands attended a Cape Town meeting of the official opposition party, the Democratic Alliance.On Saturday, thousands attended a Cape Town meeting of the official opposition party, the Democratic Alliance.
Leader Helen Zille told supporters: "Every vote counts in this election, every single vote, because your vote may be the one that keeps the ANC under that two-thirds majority, and your vote - especially here in this stadium today - your vote may be the very one that wins the Western Cape for the DA."Leader Helen Zille told supporters: "Every vote counts in this election, every single vote, because your vote may be the one that keeps the ANC under that two-thirds majority, and your vote - especially here in this stadium today - your vote may be the very one that wins the Western Cape for the DA."
The DA fears that if the ANC achieves the two-thirds majority, it might use it to change the constitution to influence the independence of the judicial system.The DA fears that if the ANC achieves the two-thirds majority, it might use it to change the constitution to influence the independence of the judicial system.
Ms Zille also made frequent reference to criminal charges of corruption and racketeering brought against Mr Zuma which he denies and which were dismissed earlier this month.Ms Zille also made frequent reference to criminal charges of corruption and racketeering brought against Mr Zuma which he denies and which were dismissed earlier this month.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) reports that more than 23 million people, including 16,000 of the South African diaspora, have registered to vote in what is being seen as the most important election since the end of apartheid istory. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) reports that more than 23 million people, including 16,000 of the South African diaspora, have registered to vote in what is being seen as the most important election since the end of apartheid.