NFP interim leader Irvin Barnes witness ‘deploring living conditions’ at Madala Hostel in Alexandra
The leader of the National Freedom Party (NFP) challenges the mayor of the City of Johannesburg to visit Madala Hostel in Alexandra to witness the dehumanising living conditions that residents are subjected to.
The interim leader of the National Freedom Party (NFP) and member of the National Executive Committee, Irvin Barnes, has challenged the newly elected Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Kabelo Gwamanda, to visit Madala Hostel to see the dilapidated state of the hostel for himself.
This follows Barnes’ oversight visit to Alexandra on May 20 to review service delivery and living conditions. Barnes, who was accompanied by his party’s leadership in Johannesburg, said the living conditions in the area, particularly at Madala Hostel and the neighbouring informal settlements, were unacceptable and dehumanising.
“We were invited by residents of Alexandra to come and see for ourselves the terrible and disgusting living conditions in the area. It is disappointing that after 29 years into a democracy, our people in hostels and informal settlements are still treated like stepchildren by their government.
“Residents of Madala Hostel are subjected to live in an environment that puts their health and their lives in danger. We call upon the newly elected mayor of the city, Kabelo Gwamanda, to visit the area to witness terrible living conditions that residents of Madala Hostel are subjected to because of the lack of service delivery,” Barnes said.
He added his party had embarked on a mission to visit different communities around the country to understand the real issues faced by communities.
“As we prepare for our national elective conference in July this year, we want our policies to speak to the needs of the people.”
Thembelihle Ndwandwe, one of the hostel residents, said they’ve lost all hope in the government after countless promises were made to relocate them to a safer place.
“We’ve been promised that our hostel will be transformed into a modern housing place since 2010. In 2020 a contractor that was meant to build temporary residences was brought in but until today that project has not materialised. We are on our own and no one cares about us,” he said.
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