THERE are just under 40 days until South African citizens in wards across the country cast their votes for the Local Government Elections (LGE).

This year’s elections takes place against a backdrop of increasing public pessimism and disengagement.

For Malacca Road Informal Settlement resident, Thabisile Mhlongo, the elections are a way to impact council decisions, priorities and policies that affect her daily life.

She also hopes to see tangible changes to her children’s lives and the lives of residents in the informal settlement. Key amongst her service delivery concerns are access to electricity, water, working toilets and a place where the young people of the settlement can play and train.

“At the settlement we’ve gone from flushing toilets at the communal ablution block to six portable toilets for close to 600 people. The ablution blocks at the settlement weren’t perfect but they worked. In terms of water we only have two taps working. One at the top of the settlement and one near the toilets. There is also sewage water running into the settlement. None of the homes have electricity and because of illegal connections I know of two people who have died.

“These sound like simple things but we don’t have access to that. I also want to see a safe place for the children of the settlement to play. My hope is that the newly elected ward councillor would consider a soccer field or a netball pitch for the young children. We also have an issue with rubbish not being collected for weeks at a time. That brings flies, rats and a terrible smell,” she said.

Mhlongo, who teaches at a crèche at the settlement set up by NPO The Seed Fund, said unemployment is also a big concern.

“Through my job I’m able to help give my children a better life and I’m lucky to have the job. However many people at the settlement are unemployed. I know that may be a difficult thing for the municipality to solve but that would make a difference to the youth living here and those looking to put food on the table,” she said.

While she doesn’t share any of the apathy other non-voters feel, Mhlongo said she is also encouraging everyone registered to go out and vote

“I’ve voted in every single elections since 1994. The reason is simple, I want to see the changes where I stay. To me it doesn’t matter how long I stand in the line. I look to political parties who will help us with the issues we face here at Malacca,” she said.

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