ANC women bring message of hope
THREE influential ANC women addressed residents at the Chatty Community Hall yesterday, with stalwart Cheryl Carolus saying while the ruling party had lost its way, President Cyril Ramaphosa had brought about some much-needed hope.
Carolus, accompanied by ANC MP Hope Malgas and Nondumiso Maphazi, a commissioner at the South African Commission for Gender Equality, led a discussion around the celebrations of Freedom Day on Friday.
Carolus said residents had forgotten that the people have the power.
“The people have forgotten that while we look to blame one person for the troubling times the country encountered recently, we as the people shouldn’t have allowed it to go that far,” she said.
“In the 2016 elections the people sent us a message but we need to thank President Cyril Ramaphosa who has reintensified hope.
“And I believe there is no other movement which can mobilise and create unity like the movement.
“And particularly in this month where we remember those who so selflessly gave themselves for this freedom we enjoy . . . there are indications that comrades are working towards unifying us.”
Maphazi said women should ensure equality of genders in all spheres – political, business and the community.
Malgas said the residents of the northern areas needed to remember the role they had played in attaining freedom through the 1990 northern areas uprisings and the Million Signature movement.
“Although there are challenges in the ANC and metro, let’s think about where we came from and where we are going.”