The activities of the Democratic Alliance over the last few days have been many and varied and always with passion and commitment here, there and everywhere, including the controversial march to Luthuli house.
Two Combis, and two buses with 170 activists from eMalahleni Constituency traveled to the #Real Jobs march on Wednesday, January 12. Spirits were high and the DA blue was prominent. Despite threats and intimidation for what has been referred to as a “publicity stunt,” the DA made its voice heard and its stance clear. Thank you to those activists who were and are part of wanting to contribute to change for the better and jobs for all.
But it does not all happen out of eMalahleni. Councillor Sibusiso Mokoena held a public meeting in Ward 7 for all residents in order to address crucial issues such as water or the lack thereof, the issues of RDP houses and the system of allocating and deciding on who are to be prospective recipients. Deputy Provincial leader of the DA, Councillor Jane Moloisi, Constituency Chairperson Mike Hilton and Councillor Shaffy Jallal assisted in addressing the queries and concerns of the people.
Councillor Naritha Naidu, who is ward Councillor for Ward 33 established a DA branch committee on Saturday, January 15. Constituency Operations Manager (COM) for the Constituency, Gerda Amoraal and Counillors Lizelle Steyn, Roy Cronje and Helene Griffiths were also present. Councillor Naidu would like to thank all those who attended, with particular thanks to those who agreed to hold office.
They are: Tony Canada (Chairperson), Gwebi Sithole (Deputy),Yolandi Delport (Secretary). Additional members include Dina van Meyeren, Lammie Ferreira and Charlene Coertzen.
A DA branch launch was also held in Ward 12 on Sunday, February 16 after a public meeting for all residents of the area. The elected Chairperson for the DA branch is Mr Richard Dlamini and his Deputy, Ms Anna Shabangu. This was very well attended and Councillors Ismail Cassim and Shaffy Jallal led the proceedings and were attentive to the needs of the community.
Residents from Ward 17, the informal settlement of MNS, Klarinet and Pine Ridge were among those who attended. As always, the burning questions had to do with housing and jobs. Many were keen to be at the National Campaign Launch being held at Polokwane on February 23.
The message is clear: be part of the change you wish to see! Apathy and a lack of social conscience is at the very root of being stuck in a situation which is going nowhere. Don’t wait to be asked. If you are a South African citizen it is not only your right and privilege to vote, it should actually be part of your desire to be a cog in the turn-around of our society and all that ails it.
Democracy is not merely an ideal but a system of governance that serves its peoples and their needs. It is a system that we, collectively, need to ensure, works for the good of all the peoples of South Africa and is not to be manipulated by an elitist few whose inability to see beyond self-entitlement, destroys the very foundations of all that is real and true and good about a democratic society. We want the Freedom: we want the Equality: and, most of all, we want the brotherhood and sisterhood that would sum up so well the wonderful South African notion of “Ubuntu.”
