The residents of Soweto have expressed confidence that their long struggles with unemployment are getting deserved attention under the leadership of Panyaza Lesufi as Gauteng Premier.
This was the overwhelming view of resident during the ANC’s intense door-to-door campaign in Soweto by Lesufi himself and Luthuli House boss Fikile Mbalula.
Most of the youth complained about unemployment, that is rife in South Africa’s biggest township.
Light at end of a dark tunnel
But many were hopeful that with Lesufi at the helm of the province, there was light at the end of the tunnel.
Lesufi went to houses and walked the streets of Dobsonville and Bram Fischerville. There, he was showered with love and requests to expand his popular Nas’iSpani projects.
The Nas’iSpani initiative has earned Lesufi popularity among the idling youth. They believe if given more time in charge of the province, he has the potential to change their fortunes.
Vuyisile Msukwini of Dobsonville, upon hearing that Lesufi was on the streets, left her house in search of the man. She wanted to tell him about her unemployment plight.
Msukwini could not hold her tears, with her seven-month-old baby on her back.
“I have been unemployed for a very long time and have put in my CV almost everywhere without any luck,” she told this publication after meeting with Lesufi and giving her details to Gauteng government officials.
“I thought I should come here and hear from our premier himself. Since there has been many jobs he is creating through Nas’iSpani projects. This man gives us hope that one by one, we will all get the jobs to provide for our families.
Youth jobs project endeared premier to township masses
“You see now I had to come with my baby who survives through the R530 child support grant. Which is not enough because most of it goes to nappies. Even my R370 unemployment grant does not go far. But we are able to buy maize meal 12Kg, a bag of potatoes and cooking oil. I just hope people do not vote for a coalition, which will take us backwards when we see we are moving forward, albeit not as fast as we would want.”
That was the general feedback in all street corners and houses that Lesufi visited.
Some thanked him as they had already benefited through Nas’iSpani. While others were lined up for the next phase of the groundbreaking job creation strategy.
Lesufi and Mbalula begged Soweto people to go out in their number to vote ANC. Unlike they had done in the previous elections, ANC voters stayed away, they said.
Urged to refrain from not voting
Speaking in Bram Fischerville, Mbalula said ANC voters must voice their concerns as sharply as they would want. But staying away from voting would only allow for a coalition government. And this is not good for service delivery.
The ANC is billed to hold its last push Siyanqoba rally at the FNB Stadium, just outside Soweto, on Saturday. This will be the last one before voting day next Wednesday.
