The community of Standerton aired their grievances in front of the municipal building on Friday, 11 June with electricity and water interruptions uppermost in their minds.
Mbonani Mayisels Street has been at the centre of many a protest and this was no exception, albeit a peaceful demonstration. Before long a group began singing and dancing.
A police presence was noticeable as well as the traffic department, who cordoned off the block.
Protesters regardless of race, were united in their demands for service delivery.
A delegation led by Mr Louis Thabethe from the Lekwa Community Forum and Ms Barbara Sheppard, a businesswoman, were to speak to the newly-appointed administrator of the Lekwa Municipality, Mr Johann Mettler.
The name of another community representative, Mr Skalo Tsotetsi, was not submitted to the hierarchy at Lekwa.
Mr Thabethe addressed the crowd after noon as to the intention of ensuring Lekwa’s load-shedding be lifted, as well as the water supply being a constitutional right.
“We want our town back,” he said.
He also referred to businesses in town that should be able to function.
A voice rang out about rates being paid to Lekwa and a ‘Voertsek’ was heard more than once.
The crows broke out in song to reinforce their commitment to change in Standerton. They waited outside when the delegation, armed with a list of questions, went through the entrance of the building.
Their patience was tested to the limit and Mr Tsotetsi calmed tempers since they were not prepared to wait the whole day.
Some protesters were adamant that all routes to town would be blocked if the outcome of the meeting was not satisfactory.
The time was 13:13. This was no idle threat since some roads to town were blocked earlier the morning.
Police strengthened their presence when another vehicle parked in front of the Standerton Town Hall.
Protesters were not intimidated. The crowd eventually thinned to some degree and Mr Thabethe and Ms Sheppard had the opportunity to give feedback.
Mr Thabethe first took to speaking and mentioned that Mr Mettler has only been in office for three days.
He also said not all service delivery demands could be raised in the meeting, but that a meeting with Eskom would be scheduled for next week, with the aim of lifting the 55NMD to 80NMD.
The difference between an Eskom-problem and one of Lekwa was emphasised.
Eskom is in contempt of court on this issue, while Lekwa has to make do with the 55NMD.
No answers could be given on the load-shedding at this stage, which did not sit well with the protesters.
Some people questioned management’s capabilities and allegations about corruption were made.
A question-and-answer session followed.
The Standerton Advertiser had the opportunity to speak to Mr Schalk Pelser, who suffers from a sleeping disorder.
“I use a machine to be able to breathe during the night,”
Mr Pelser said. “If I don’t use it, I stop breathing.
“I can’t run the generator the whole night.”
Visit www.ridgetimes.co.za to view a gallery on the protest.
