The sting of unemployment was the central theme among those who attended the ANC’s 2019 Provincial Manifesto Review in Limpopo.
Young people and older citizens who flocked to Giyani Stadium yesterday decried the dire economic state of many households across Giyani Local Municipality and the country.
Sunday World spoke to groups of young people who were leaving the stadium before the party’s secretary general Fikile Mbalula took to the stage.
“We have been waiting since nine in the morning but the man is still far from speaking. We want to go drink our troubles away,” said one of the disenchanted young men.
As much as some were leaving disappointed, others were still making their way to the stadium. Matome Rakgoale, from Ward 32 in the Tzaneen sub-region, said the ANC needs to be brave if it wants to win back the people it has lost.
“We are ANC die-hards and we will die in this party, but we are concerned about the levels of unemployment that are rampant across the country.
“Being unemployed pains our youth, which is a sign that something has gone wrong.
“We must be clear that the ANC has done nothing wrong, it is just individuals at the top,” Rakgoale said.
He added cadres who made the ANC a glorious movement had left the party disillusioned.
“If they were still around they would be crying. If the ANC wants to win elections next year it must listen to the people. Secondly, it has to go closer to the people and demonstrate it is a caring party. Thirdly, if a leader is failing, they must remove him and put in somebody
better,” Rakgoale maintained.
South African National Civic Organisation regional task team member Thapelo Mojapelo from Phalaborwa, said the manifesto review was a test.
“Today, we are here for the manifesto review to underline promises that were delivered and promises that they haven’t delivered on, and the promises that they will deliver on. This is to test whether or not we are still in line with the fact that we believe in the organisation’s mandate,” he said.
Mojapelo said the ANC should prioritise young people.
“The leadership should strengthen economic development among young people.
“Young people should be the first people to be considered when it comes to the innovative deployment of the country. Young people are a ticking bomb. We must ensure that their future is bright,” said Mojapelo.
Thokozile Ntela, a hawker who travelled all the way from Johannesburg, said she was happy to make some money selling ANC regalia.
“I’m from Ward 46 in Johannesburg. Today was a great day. We got the opportunity to collect the little that was available. It’s better than just sitting at home doing nothing,” said Ntela.
“As informal businesses, we wish the ANC could assist us and help buy enough stock to sell, so that we can also grow.”
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