Members of the ANC embark on a campaign trail in Diepkloof
Some of the residents complained to the ANC leadership about the rapid growth of poverty and unemployment that dominates in their community.
Former President, Kgalema Motlanthe joined the governing party’s campaign trail in Diepkloof on May 3.
As part of campaigning for votes, Motlanthe did door-to-door visits to understand the community’s needs ahead of the general elections.
ANC leadership also did the walkabout in the Diepkloof community where they made residents aware of the upcoming national elections that are to take place on May 29.
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Some of the residents complained to the ANC leadership about the rapid growth of poverty and unemployment that dominates in their community.
Joyce Phiri, a resident of Diepkloof complained of how it has been 11 years since she completed her matric but has had no luck in securing a job for herself.
“We are knocking on many doors but we don’t get opportunities. It hurts because I have passed with a bachelor’s exemption and a few distinctions,” said Phiri.
Motlanthe and the ANC leadership were welcomed warmly by Diepkloof residents who were honest enough to voice out their struggles with crime, poverty, and unemployment.
Smangele Mbatha-Makhubo, a 69-year-old pensioner spoke on how since she has retired her family has been fully dependent on her old-age grant from the government.
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“There are times when we go to bed hungry because the grant money is not enough to feed all of us.
“It would be better if the children get jobs, one would contribute flour and the others contribute sugar and we would all come together,” Mbatha-Makhubo said.
The Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi advised unemployed youth to take advantage of the provincial government’s Nasi Ispani initiative.
Lesufi also said as ANC they have different phases of a campaign that are yet to surprise people.
“For us to win this province we need almost 2.6 million votes and Soweto plays a critical role in ensuring that at least we have 1.2 million votes. We can spread the remaining votes across the province,” Lesufi said.
