The ANC received a warm welcome across the Western Cape by residents, ahead of its birthday anniversary on the weekend, it said on Wednesday .

Residents of Lwandle township in Strand were happy to see African National Congress national chairwoman Baleka Mbete, the party said.

“It went well, we had a good turn-out. We were well received,” said ANC official Mthunzi Gumede.

“People are warming up to the ANC. They are happy that the ANC is here, we are being received like water in a desert.”

Gumede said Lwandle residents had come out in their numbers and filled the streets during Mbete’s visit.

The party’s deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa toured Dunoon and Joe Slovo townships.

“The deputy president dedicated most of his time walking in the streets, listening to residents’ challenges and grievances,” ANC official Moloto Mothapo said.

Mothapo said the two main issues raised by residents were lack of service delivery and access to grants.

He said residents were excited to see Ramaphosa in their neighbourhoods.

“There was a lot of excitement, the streets were full. They are looking forward to attending on Saturday,” Mothapo said.

Secretary general Gwede Mantashe visited Lingelihle township in Malmesbury, Swartland.

“The objective of our visit was to mobilise attendance to the 103rd birthday celebration,” ANC official Khusela Sangoni said.

She said Mantashe received a warm welcome in the area despite it being run by opposition party the Democratic Alliance which has majority municipal seats.

Mantashe reportedly told the residents the ANC was ready to welcome them to the party “if they want to liberate themselves from white supremacy”, Sangoni said.

The party planned to fill the 52,000-capacity Cape Town stadium on Saturday for the anniversary.

Party officials confirmed earlier that the ANC had organised hundreds of buses and free train journeys for supporters into the city on the day. SAPA