Speaker, the ANC welcomes the outcomes of the by- elections held on 22 May 2013 in various provinces throughout the country. Of the six wards that held by-elections, the ANC won three, two were retained and one was won from the DA. This shows that the ANC continues to consolidate its base and make strong advances into areas previously held by the opposition. [Applause.]
We are proud that the electorate is proving wrong the myth that our people are losing confidence in the ANC. Social commentators, the opposition and social media revolutionaries who are far removed from the people try tirelessly to paint a picture of an ANC that no longer enjoys the confidence of the people, but each by-election proves them wrong. South Africa is a better place today than it was in 1994. Blacks in general and the poorest of the poor know this to be a fact.
The ANC conveys its thanks to all community members who voted in the various by-elections. We welcome the mandate to continue with our work of building a better life for all. [Applause.]