Image: Sunday Times
President Jacob Zuma celebrated his 72nd birthday on Saturday campaigning in the Western Cape.
"The African National Congress wants to work with communities to fight gangsterism, drugs and crime," Zuma said in a speech prepared for delivery at Vygieskraal Stadium on the Cape Flats.
He said there could be no better place for him to celebrate his birthday.
"To see this support for the ANC makes me very happy, it is a wonderful birthday present for me."
He told residents not to be intimidated by political parties clamouring for their votes ahead of the general elections on May 7.
"Some are using swart gevaar tactics and are distorting government policies and programmes as they are desperate for your support."
Zuma said the Western Cape was not confined to richer suburbs, and the province needed a government that would treat all who lived there equally.
"Make the ANC the government of the Western Cape again so that this province can experience a better life like the rest of South Africa.
"...Enough is enough with the neglect of predominantly coloured and African areas in this province," he said.
He assured coloured potential voters that employment equity policies would also benefit them.
"Affirmative action is designed to protect and promote Coloureds as well, not just Africans.
"We will make sure more Coloureds are promoted especially in this province," Zuma said.