The ANC’s alliance partner teamed up with Embassy of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in hosting a commemorative lecture on the life and times of the former supreme leader of North Korea, Kim il Sung.

The ambassador of North Korea, Mr Jo Yong Man, delivered the lecture on president Sung.

The lecture on Saturday at 11:00 at Chromeville Community Hall, described him as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century.

His term of office saw him outlive six South Korean leaders, ten US presidents, seven Soviet leaders, ten UK prime ministers, five popes and 21 Japanese prime ministers, spanning the entire South African apartheids era.

Kim il Sung ruled, by Western standards, as an autocrat establishing a cult of personality, usings the mass media as a propaganda machine to elevate his tenure, and it worked; his birthday is still known as the Day of the Sun, a public holiday in North Korea where he also served as head of the Workers Party from 1950 to 1994

In the 60s Kim il Sung introduced his self-developed Kimilsungism, emphasising that the Korean people spearheads the country’s development.

Kimilsungism replaced Marxism-Leninism as the ideology of the state following his delivery and systematic implementation of the political thesis in 1955.

It is doubtful whether the 238 households and 287 voters canvassed on Saturday, cared to listen to the laurels bestowed on Kim il Sung, when they are concerned about jobs, housing, water, toilets and electricity.

Newtown has one toilet in every street.

Newtown has no electricity.

Newtown has no water.

Present for the ANC was Mr Lucky Ndinisa (provincial secretary) and Steve Tshwete mayor, Mr Mike Masina.

They were joined by Mr Bonakele Majuba (SACP provincial secretary), Mr Vusi Ntshangase (Satawu provincial secretary) and Mr Sipho Nkambule (Popcru provincial secretary).

• Talking about red, Julius Malema’s EFF enjoys widespread support in Mhluzi where they regularly hold election drives with the aim of unseating the ANC.

Two weeks ago the red berets took to Iraq taxi rank to spread the party’s message of economic freedom, a message not much unlike the ideals of the SACP and North Korea.

The local EFF branch succeeded early this week to secure much needed funds for political posters in Middelburg and Mhluzi.