The Alexandra Peace Ambassadors promote unity in the community

Alexandra residents have been urged to go out in their numbers to cast their votes in the upcoming elections and to do so wisely.

This was the message from the secretary of Alexandra Peace Ambassadors, Charles Mphephu when his organisation hosted a civic workshop at the Scripture Union premises on 8th Avenue close to the Alexandra Fire Brigade recently.
Mphephu informed residents about their rights and responsibilities of bringing needed change to the community, especially as the township battles the high rate of unemployment and the issues of poor service delivery, which includes frequent water cuts, load-shedding and piling rubbish on their roads.

“As community members, you need to unite and use the collective power of your votes for the betterment of the community and your township. This is your voice and your chance to bring the change you desire in your township by getting rid of leaders who are failing the community,” Mphephu told attendees.

Mphephu said the workshop was about reminding the community that their vote is their voice and it was time for them to stand for themselves and bring the change they desire in the community.
“Let’s not make the elections be about who we want to lead us even when we see that a person is failing to provide and fulfill the needs of the community. Alexandra is hugely affected by poor service delivery but there are community representatives they appointed and who continue to make false promises and we keep on electing them to our detriment.”

He said as peace ambassadors, their role was to encourage community members to always use the power of vote each time there was an election so that they choose their leaders wisely by making good choices on the day when they cast their vote.
Mbali Mthembu from Family Tree Holdings encouraged entrepreneurship in the community to fight the increasing rate of unemployment and urged the community not to be afraid to start their businesses because Family Tree Holdings is there to provide you with a proper manufacturing hub and equipment needed to produce the product you are selling and we provide all that for free.

“Having business owners in the community means they will hire people from that community and by doing so they will be decreasing the rate of youth unemployment,” Mthembu said.

“Sitting back and always moaning about the lack of job opportunities and service delivery will not help you get employed. Firms are closing down and you should be the ones who are responsible for opening them,” Mphephu said.

He called on young people to start their businesses and be their own bosses, and opportunities are plenty here for start-ups.

One of the attendees, Msawenkosi Shelembe urged the IEC to put pressure on the Home Affairs department to ensure people have their IDs with them before the elections because without them they will not be allowed to vote.

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