Ramaphosa landed in Port Elizabeth on Saturday and the same evening met church leader Bishop John Bolana at the Bantu Church of Christ in New Brighton. He was welcomed by scores of church members, young and old, elated in song.

As a show of support, church members also sang 'Phakama Ramaphosa', one of the ANC's election songs. The Bantu Church of Christ played a significant role in the struggle for liberation and its history is interconnected with that of the country's struggle against apartheid and the promotion of pan-Africanism.

On Sunday Ramaphosa is expected to take the African National Congress campaign across Nelson Mandela Bay.

Ramaphosa is expected to canvass for support and meet residents at the George Botha Hall in Kleinskool from 10.30am before moving to Nangoza Jebe Hall in New Brighton, and then then to address a community meeting in an open field at NU29 in Motherwell.

The ANC top six officials are on a vigorous campaign trail this weekend, spread out in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, North West, and Mpumalanga.

ANA