Angel Khanyile carries the flag for Standerton

Ms Angel Khanyile, DA-member of parliament, delivered a strongly-worded speech in Cape Town on Wednesday, 17 February about the ‘new dawn’, a term used by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his state of the nation address.

“The sun does not rise in the new dawn,” Ms Khanyile said.

The MP said people have horrible living conditions in Standerton and she mentioned Mr Ramaphosa’s visit to town in February, where he posed with locals for photos.

She said she hoped then that action would be taken.

The farmers in the Jonkersdam-area with huge electricity supply problems were referred to, as well as Lekwa’s status as being under the top 10 municipalities with regard to their Eskom debt.

She commented on service delivery, especially water and sanitation problems.

Her opinion on service delivery in Standerton was given via WhatsApp on Wednesday as well.

“We are of the strong view that Lekwa lacks leadership,” she added.

According to her, the MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) in Mpumalanga, Mr Mandla Msibi, indicated that he has given all forms of support to Lekwa and the situation keeps deteriorating.

“We need a new government, one that will prioritise issues of the community of Lekwa and restore their dignity.”

Gender-based violence was also mentioned in her speech and the case of the missing Ms Makhasozana Sinqobile Ndhlovu from Sakhile came to the forefront.

According to her, R6-billion was promised in 2019 and last year to combat violence against women and children.

Ms Ndhlovu has been missing since 12 January and the Standerton Advertiser spoke to Mr Louis Thabethe of #IAM on Friday, 19 February.

Mr Thabethe said the young woman’s mother is devastated and her health has deteriorated.

“We are worried and are going to intensify the search to other provinces,” he also said.