CANDICE BAILEY
The ANC did not go to Daveyton yesterday to do their usual election campaigning – they went to the area to confirm their mandate.
ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe told a crowd of fewer than 500 people at the Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton:
“I can’t campaign to you. All I can give you is this message. You tell your friends… tell your neighbours… tell the people you drink with… to go vote on the 18th and to vote ANC.”
Mantashe sat on the stage at the stadium with ANC stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who had addressed the crowd earlier.
He spoke of how the party had provided electricity, water and housing.
“The ANC appreciates that poverty is a reality. That is why we equalised social grants to everyone… There are child-support grants for the children. That is a programme that addresses poverty,” said Mantashe.
“The focus this year should be on employment and job creation. The spheres of government must lead that programme. The ANC commits itself to improving the lives of the people. We are working with the people to change society. The ANC has no monopoly on wisdom.”
There were ululations, screams of “halala” and whistles in the crowd during Mantashe’s address.
“This is exactly what I expected to heard. People are quick to forget what the ANC has done. They say the ANC are not doing much, but they are,” said 59-year-old Erasmus Mabelane, from Etwatwa.
Daveyton resident Thandazo Malaza agreed.
“This is our organisation. We cannot vote for anyone else. I will die in this party.”
She said while people in the area were upset that the ANC had failed to deliver on promises likes ones to repair the homes of pensioners in the area, they would still vote for the ANC.
“Change will come,” said Malaza.
But
some residents were upset that Vivian Chauke, mayoral committee member for housing in the Ekurhuleni municipality, is also the ward 69 councillor in Daveyton (and the councillor-elect).
“The Daveyton people are not here because they are not happy with the councillor on the ANC’s list,” said one resident, who did not want to be named.
Walter Makofana said he would be voting for the DA.
“I cannot vote for the ANC. For the past seven years I have been fighting with this municipality to get the title deed of my mother’s house. Nothing is changing. When we go to the councillor, they push us away… It’s a struggle.”
Sibusiso Mahlangu, 22, was not sure who he would vote for.
“My grandmother has been waiting for a house since 1996 and she still doesn’t have one,” said Mahlangu.
Meanwhile, Sapa reports that Mantashe slammed the media, saying it was on a propaganda campaign to smear the names of ANC members during election time.