A new political party is on the cards
A new political party based in Giyani is on the cards as the country braces itself for the local government elections
LIMPOPO – The party is called African Freedom Salvation (AFS) and aims to compete against the ANC in Giyani and the Mopani district before moving to provincial level, if it manages to garner enough support.
According to AFS leader, Thomas Mabunda, the party will address the unemployment situation in Giyani through fair recruitment, and the speeding up of service delivery, which he claims the ruling party is failing dismally to address.
“The problem with the ruling party is that they don’t care about the people anymore than they do about its members. That’s why you don’t get jobs or tenders if you’re not an ANC member,” explains Mabunda, adding this results in an increased unemployment rate in Giyani.
“Nowadays, if people need basic services, the only language the ruling party understands is protests because they are out of touch with reality; our aim is to capitalise on their mistakes and close that gap,” he says.
Mabunda says the party has significant support in Giyani and other areas in the Mopani district.
“It’s not like we don’t have support in the villages, but the support we have here is significant because they can read between the lines and are well-informed, unlike our old mothers who are afraid to leave the ruling party because they fear they’ll lose their pension grants.”
According to him, although not yet registered, the party plans to contest all wards in Giyani, including wards in the four remaining municipalities in the Mopani district.
“We already have party coordinators in Maruleng, Phalaborwa, Tzaneen and Letaba Municipalities,” he continues, adding that if they do not get enough votes they will form a coalition with other opposition parties.
“As long as we see a party that shares the same vision as we do, we would not have a problem forming a coalition with them.”
