Find out the facts on the Minority Front before criticising it

THIS is in response to letter “Parties guilty of failing to fulfil election promises” April 18 – 23) by Rekha Premshand.

The proverbial “have you been living under a rock?” question seemed to have been swirling in my head as I read the content of the letter.

Without sounding disrespectful, it seems the author is out of touch with the facts where the Minority Front (MF) is concerned. I am obliged, consequently, to point out that the MF is in fact the only party that speaks to the challenges Rekha so explicitly enunciates.

To combat the housing backlog, both in the provincial legislature and within local government, the MF has called for a housing needs analysis to be conducted and has motioned for a homeowners’ catalogue to be introduced.

As a practical programme, the MF has designed a housing survey, which is completed at all our offices and submitted to the Department of Human Settlements.

Media coverage of this initiative has been extensive.

As far as crime goes, the MF has motioned all levels of government to invest more into skilling law enforcement employees and increasing human and material resources.

As a practical exercise, the MF supports community police forums (CPFs) financially and materially.

I would strongly suggest that Rekha joins one of these CPFs, if she isn’t part of one already, and contributes to protecting our community instead of waiting for government to do everything for her.

President JF Kennedy said at his inauguration: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

Little wonder then, that the US has such strong-willed and empowered citizens.

Unfortunately for Rekha, we are not running security companies but we are protecting the rights of minority groups.

Land invasion is a national phenomenon. It doesn’t only affect people within the Indian community but other races too.

I therefore do not want to justify what seem to be racist remarks with a detailed response. Nevertheless, the records in various levels of government will prove our efforts to curb this challenge.

I hope Rekha is not expecting us to physically remove these people from the informal settlements.

As for our adverts (MF – My Family), family is the strongest pillar in society, but we apologise if Rekha is offended by our promotion of family values.

This was most hilarious – Malema rants against Indian businessmen. Rekha must really have been in hibernation during this debacle because personally, I debated this matter on over 20 radio stations nationwide, on international TV news, in various print publications, in a variety of languages, and I have lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission. It is almost disturbing the author is so ill-informed.

Funeral parlours: It was the MF’s confrontation with the provincial leader of government business that sparked the public debate, which resulted in a peaceful resolution. That too was widely publicised.

Many attempts have been made to bury the MF, but in true Rajbansi style we have always resurrected and therefore are not afraid of ghost writers.

Rates rebate: So when the MF opposes rates rebate increases, then that is a well-calculated move? Insufferable! If anyone failed, it was the voter.

The majority of the electorate voted for a white-governed party and had forgotten the impact made by the MF to protect the interests of the Indian community. The consequences must thus be endured until the voter does otherwise.

Once again Rekha is factually skewed: a fraction of the Indian community lent support to the MF in the 2014 and 2016 elections. With limited manpower, financial constraints and reduced seats, the MF has still produced better outcomes for the Indian community.

Armchair critics can stand by and give their unsolicited commentary, but the MF maintains that we are the only political agency fighting for the poor, the marginalised and the working class.

I invite the author to visit our offices to view our extensive work and media publications, which prove the work we have been doing for this community.

COUNCILLOR JONATHAN P ANNIPEN Minority Front spokesperson