The colourful politics of Ward 9

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) spiced up the Ward 9 by-elections with a Namibian flavour, while the DA went the social media route.

Political parties battling it out for the hotly-contested by-elections used different methods to sway the voters of Spa Park, Masakhane, Vingerkraal and the broader Bela-Bela surburbia.

Suffice to say the ANC went for broke, burning tyre in a convoy of a potpourri of rundown jallopies and customised tourists’ sight-seeing vehicles decorated with the colours of the party.

EFF candidate Andreas Mwambo is of Namibian parentage, who the party was convinced had what it takes to emerge victorious.

The Mosiuoa Lekota-led Cope was the surprise package during formal proceedings hosted by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), with the only female candidate, Francinah Mapaila the face of the party.

The DA disclosed in a statement that the party had installed free Wi-Fi in Vingerkraal during an event at Renosterkloof Primary School on Monday 16 July.

Suffice to say Vingerkraal is Andreas Mwambo’s home country.

The DA said it had noted the community’s plight during a recent door-to-door campaign the preceding week.

“The youth and scholars in this village are unable to access job opportunities due to a lack of internet access,” DA provincial leader, Jacques Smalle, said in a statement.

The DA was also in charity mode in Masakhane, donating blankets, cooking utensils and groceries to the local Molekwa family.

The family’s home was recently destroyed by fire.

— The BEAT