By: Siphiwe Ngcongco
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and members of the South African Democratic Students Movement (SADESMO) conducted a door-to-door prelaunch campaign in the Northern Cape last weekend.
Petros Ngubane, the Umzinyathi district mayor in KwaZulu Natal, led the IFP delegation to Kimberley.
On Saturday last week, Ngubane walked the dusty streets of Greenpoint, Samaria township and the Kimberley hostels handing out the party’s branded shirts. Ngubane listened to several residents who complained about failed service delivery by local councilors.
During the door-to-door visit, some of the residential households were stinking poverty and in a debilitated state.
Ngubane strongly emphasised that his campaign was not politically motivated but was here to remind community members about their rights and why the government has failed them.
“We are not here because of the upcoming elections or to fight with the governing party but rather to fight for your rights and proper service delivery. We are here to deliver and we make no empty promises”.
Martha Peterson took the IFP delegation, including the media, on a house tour.
The front door of her house was not attached to the frame. It had no hinges. One has to carry the door to open and close it. Peterson explained to the mayor of Umzinyathi that they supported the door by pushing the family couch against it to close it at night. The mayor listened and showed concern.
Refilwe Tshabalala, a young IFP member, said: “Brutally speaking, being emotionally and mentally manipulated and reminded every time by political personnel that they have gone to prison for the democratic air we are breathing is an insult. It is time to progress, solve the current issues, and have a well properly oiled service delivery. Trust has been broken but hope cannot be lost because of old age vultures”.
A Greenpoint resident, Lesley Madiba said: “We depend on social grants, which is not enough to carry us through the month. The water supplied by the municipality negatively affects our health, especially at this old age with fragile immune systems. We are not financially privileged to purchase purified water”.
Teenage Qalinge: “I am yet another youth covered under unemployment statistics and in this community, one is driven to use illegal substances and conduct criminal activities for survival”.
Bekokwakhe Mvelase, Induna (chief) of Kimberley hostel, said they were tired of empty promises.
The IFP delegation promised community members to deliver better services should they be successful in the next elections.
While campaigning in the Northern Cape region, the IFP was at the same time celebrating its 48th anniversary. It was established in 1975 by it founding president Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
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