NELSPRUIT – Corruption and unemployment are the two fundamental problems faced by the ruling ANC government. So said Dr Wilmot James, national chairman of the DA, during a campaign meeting in Nelsville on Tuesday April 15.
Wilmot made a stop in Nelspruit on his way to campaign in Middelburg and eMalahleni (Witbank). He said the solution to unemployment was the economy with government’s role to create an environment conducive to doing business.
The DA’s suggestion for fighting corruption was to reinstate the Scorpions, making it illegal for government employees to do business with government, and conducting tender processes transparently.
However, one of the handful of community members attending the meeting said nothing had changed in his life since the DA took over control of the ward, which included Nelsville and Steiltes. He described himself as sitting on the fence regarding who to vote for in the forthcoming general elections.
“What can the DA offer me as a resident of Nelsville? Since it took over the ward I have seen no change or improvement. Nobody seems to have a clear answer.”
Mr Werner le Grange, the councillor of the ward and a parliamentary candidate for the party, explained that he had done all the could to have all the issues raised to him by residents addressed, but that there was only so much they could do while being the opposition instead of governing.
James concluded, “I don’t mean to be flippant, but if people want a real change we must get enough votes to govern.”
