EVATON.- Situated north of Sebokeng, the township of Evaton was established in 1904.

Like other townships in the Emfuleni area, Evaton was affected by the violent unrest which erupted in the 80s and a state of emergency was imposed. Evaton was originally a freehold township and most owners were forced to sell their properties when government policy opposed freehold in the townships.

Evaton is historicaly a black township but like other old townships in the history of South Africa, much has not been done by government to develop the area.

Sedibeng Ster recently visited the community of the township to hear what their thoughts are ahead of the upcoming elections.

Many believe that the township is still the same after all these years despite the launch of the Evaton Renewal Project (ERP) to develop it a few years back. Millions in development funds under the auspices of the ERP were allocated during the administration of former Gauteng Premiers Mbhazima Shilowa and Nomvula Mokonyane. The ERP was launched in 2004 but was marred by controversy surrounding mismanagement of funds and corruption.

This resulted in no change at all and local residents believe that the government wants them to have faith in that, that fixing and building a few roads and tarring of some streets, including the popular Adams Road, was a great achievement for the project.

The ERP was intended to abolish bucket toilets in the area as well as build houses‚ streets and a proper sewerage system, among others things but these remain. The priority areas of this project included the development of infrastructure such as the resurfacing of roads and building of pavements; the development of the local economy through job creation and Small, Micro and Medium Enterprise (SMME) projects, like grass-cutting and the setting up of vegetable gardens and small-scale agriculture. Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, ERP Chairperson, Love Moremi said the ERP is still running and they are busy with the development of the area.

Community members, particularly the young, are still without jobs and some of them have ended up engaging in crime.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, the residents, particularly young people in the area, are not too keen on casting their votes come May 8. Young people generally believe that nothing has changed because they are still with no jobs.

”Our hopes were raised when the project was launched but, to this day, we are unemployed and live the same life. It is going to be difficult for any political party to convince us to vote for them because they promise us heaven and earth but after elections they are nowhere to be seen,” they told Sedibeng Ster.

Much has been said and written about the project and opposition parties are demanding answers as to what happened to the money allocated by government to develop this historical township.

As things stand, the Evaton community still live in the same conditions despite the promises of government to improve this township, which has produced high-profile names in politics, music, sports and academics.