Mkhize vows to uplift poor, marginalised

ANC presidential hopeful Dr Zweli Mkhize says his focus is going to be on the poor and marginalised should he be elected to the post.

Mkhize made the promise during the Oliver Tambo Memorial Lecture, at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall on Saturday. In attendance were former Women’s League president Bathabile Dlamini, Ekurhuleni ANC leader Mzwandile Masina, KZN ANC spokesperson Mafika Mndebele, ANC alliance partners Cosatu, SACP, Sanco and other leaders.

Mkhize said: “We must all fight to alleviate poverty, food insecurity, crime, and income insecurity, wealth gaps, access to health care, clean water, and efficient energy.

“We have a high unemployment rate, fuel and food prices. Poverty has returned to even those whose lives had improved at the end of apartheid.”

The elimination of violent attacks, murders, rape and gender-based violence would make homes and townships secure and bring true freedom.

“Free education must remain our goal to ensure no African child fails to be developed to their highest potential.”

Access to quality health for all irrespective of the ability to pay or income levels had to be accepted as a right, he said. There was a need to accelerate implementation of the National Health Insurance.

“Basic access to safe water and sanitation remain urgent. While expressing dissatisfaction, communities should not destroy infrastructure and services that they have already acquired.”