28 February 2006
Multitudes of residents of the Itereleng informal settlement near Ladiumi in
Tshwane, could not be deterred to listen to the achievements and challenges
facing local government.
The Gauteng MEC for local government, Qedani Dorothy Mahlangu visited the
area yesterday as part of the Gauteng Imbizo campaign of direct interaction
with Gauteng residents.
Although they complained about the government's failure to provide adequate
services such as houses, street lights, roads and other amenities, Mahlangu
brought hope to the residents of the informal settlement. Residents complained
that they were promised that life will change for the better since the dawn of
the new dispensation but to no avail.
Some complained that the government was only visiting them because it was on
the eve of the elections. However, Mahlangu told them that the Gauteng
Provincial Government held imbizo's throughout the province last year to get in
touch with the communities' needs.
"I am not here on behalf of the African National Congress (ANC) but on
behalf of the government to explain to your our programmes, not because it's
time for the election but to inform you about what we are doing as government
and the challenges we are facing," said Mahlangu.
"Things have changed for the better. We acknowledge our challenges as
government but that does not mean that we should forget where we come from,"
said Mahlangu.
Since this was the first imbizo this year, moreover scheduled before the
country's municipal elections, Mahlangu urged people to flock to their polling
stations to cast their ballot. "We are aware of the challenges that you have as
a community. We know that you have few taps and that the area is dark because
the lights are not working. I have informed the mayor about it and as we speak
the lights are being fixed and we are going to increase the number of taps in
the area.
"Today all of us have rights to settle where we want to live if you can
afford it. We all have fundamental rights to vote and we should exercise that
right to elect leaders who will ensure that there is change in the communities.
We must vote to ensure that councillors who failed to deliver are voted out of
the office and elect those who will take our concerns seriously. It is your
right to vote and vote for the tried and tested political party," said
Mahlangu.
The MEC said that the provincial government is in regular consultation to
keep in touch with the residents and that issues raised were attended to. She
also said that complaints about low-cost houses being too small are
unfounded.
"Government is not compelled to build houses for everyone. We are doing this
to assist the poor and because this is a caring government, we are giving you a
starter-pack," she said.
Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
Source: SAPA
28 February 2006
