Podium politics: Attention diverted from stirring drama, looming crisis

It was a case of podium politics as the bigwigs who command the South African political landscape took to Limpopo platforms this weekend. But there was the fair share of drama in the run-up to the Sunday visit by African National Congress (ANC) Deputy President David Mabuza to the Moletjie area, when the reported threat of possible turmoil seemingly had to be hastily averted the day before for the sake of avoiding embarrassment.
Mabuza’s itinerary formed part of a programme of the ruling party’s national leadership converging on the province on the weekend. While the ANC in Limpopo were preparing for touchdown by their officials, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Commander-in-Chief Julius Malema met with a mass of representatives from mining communities during a consultation session in Nirvana.
Moletjie march
From sources closely linked to the matter in Moletjie it was learnt that between 100 to 200 disgruntled community members reportedly had prepared to march unto the offices of the traditional authority under jurisdiction of kgoshi Kgabo Moloto III with a memorandum of grievances on Saturday, but instead opted for a gathering after they were informed on Friday at noon that their march was cancelled. Polokwane Observer was informed that the memorandum prepared for handing over would have underscored dismay over treatment of community members by the traditional authority as well as concern over the sale of stands in the area.
One of the sources claimed that it was the second march request since July that was being turned down.
It was further alleged that Moloto refused to sign prior notices of the intention to march on two occasions in the past.
According to information the Police apparently showed up on Saturday to escort the community members to the tribal offices, whereupon the group was informed that Moloto was neither in nor had delegated anyone to receive the memorandum on his behalf. One of the organisers of the group informed Polokwane Observer that the Police had arrived that morning unaware of the cancellation of the march.
It was established that the community members had continued with their gathering at the assembly point at Moletjie-Mabokelele instead of the march in order for the organisers to address those who arrived for the march and to discuss the contents of the memorandum of grievances. According to information they intended to have another meeting in due course to deliberate on the way forward.
The one group organiser stressed that as they gathered that morning a so-called vigilante group of an estimated 40 men armed with sticks arrived in cars perceived to be allocated to the traditional authority in the area. Upon the Police instructing them to leave they had departed, he said.
In conclusion the one source emphasised that depriving the people of their right to march was against the spirit of the Constitution as well as the recent Concourt ruling on demonstrations and protests.
Mabuza’s Moletjie visit
For a brief moment the matter diverted attention from Mabuza’s mid-morning arrival on Sunday. In terms of the day-long programme he initially greeted the king upon touchdown, before moving on to a gathering in the vicinity of the royal house where he donated a reservoir intended to benefit seven villages. Mabuza and his entourage of party leaders and supporters continued to conduct door-to-door stops and paid a visit to a school in the Moletjie-Moshate area, where community members detailed the lack of water, electricity and housing. The most compelling of all must have been the voice of 11-year-old Bokang Manyane, who alerted the party’s leadership on having to be forced to bath with cold water before going to school in the mornings.
Mabuza departed with the undertaking to return for a celebration on 16 December on Moloto’s invitation, when he is likely to give expected feedback on the issues raised in his presence. It includes tasking the MECs of Transport and Education, Makoma Makhurupetje and Ishmael Kgetjepe with providing scholar transport in the Ga-Matlou area and Local Economic Development, Environment and Tourism MEC Seaparo Sekoati with deploying officials to assist members of the same community with drafting business plans with future job creation possibilities in mind.
EFF consultation session
During Saturday afternoon’s meeting with Malema, ruling party leaders were in the sights of representatives of mining communities across Limpopo who packed a stuffy community hall in Nirvana for a consultation session focussing on related concerns and challenges experienced. According to EFF Provincial Chairperson Jossey Buthane the issues raised would be incorporated in the party’s election manifesto, which is expected to be launched in early February.
From a translated version of the session it was learnt that more than one member of the audience referred to, among others, suspected ANC involvement in mining operations in their area as well as ANC comrades allegedly getting preferential treatment where jobs on mines are concerned. Those speaking on behalf of the groupings further claimed collusion with mining companies from the local government sphere, mining occurring without licences, the need for communities to be given mining rights, outside companies getting preferential treatment where work opportunities are concerned, mining companies constructing infrastructure on graveyards and a lack of job opportunities in Sekhukhune or what was otherwise referred to as “the land of milk and honey”.
In his response in a local vernacular, Malema reportedly alluded to the fact that most of the communities in mining areas experienced the same challenges, that the biggest problem at mines was attributed to ANC leaders who were part of the operations and therefore it was very difficult solving challenges and, with reference to corruption, mentioned white monopoly capital. He reportedly further said the EFF wanted all mines to be under state control and that power had to be returned to the people.
Buthane informed Polokwane Observer that the consultation session formed part of a party process running throughout the country and was being conducted on various issues. He added that they envisaged more sessions in Limpopo, with the next meeting scheduled for 7 December with security guards and petrol attendants.
Comment
When the issue of Saturday’s planned march was taken up with Polokwa­ne Municipality its spokesperson, Matshidiso Mothapo said he had no knowledge of the intended march or the approval of any request to the municipality.
Polokwane Observer’s attempts to obtain comment from Moloto Royal House spokesperson Matuma Moloto were unsuccessful.

Story: YOLANDE NEL
>>observer.yolande@gmail.com