Struggle veterans ‘should be priority’
EASTERN Cape PAC treasurer Khosi Maqetuka yesterday lambasted the ANC-led government, saying it was shameful it had not improved the lives of anti-apartheid activists 20 years into democracy.
She had visited former Robben Island political prisoner and PAC military wing Poqo veteran Mongameli Dinge, 68, at his shack in Port Elizabeth’s Soweto-on-Sea township.
Dinge served eight years on the infamous island, from 1977 to 1985.
He shares a shack with his wife and 10 of his grandchildren.
Yesterday an emotional Dinge, who has suffered a stroke, said he would again go and vote on May 7 despite feeling his dedication to the fight against apartheid was for nothing. “[Government] does not care about me. No one even comes to check on me. It would be better if God just took me,” he cried.
“How can I be at peace when I struggled and up to this day I am still struggling? There is still no change after 20 years of democracy.
“I have no regrets about fighting for the country, but not being cared for, as if I never did anything, hurts me the most.”
Maqetuka said struggle veterans should be prioritised by the govern- ment. “From Apla, MK, Azania – they’re all complaining about not being cared for by this government. Yes, it is the whole country that government cares for, but it should prioritise those who gave their lives to the struggle. If the PAC would govern, those who sacrificed and suffered for this so-called democracy would be prioritised.”
Maqetuka called on residents to use their minds instead of their hearts at the ballot. “Tata Dinge and others did not fight for tenders, not for food parcels . . . they fought for wealth and the country to go back to the indigenous African people.
“His shack is in between RDP houses. He sacrificed his youthful years and never went to school. The ward councillor and government must account on why he still does not have a house.”
Ward 27 ANC councillor Xolani Bisset said: “Service delivery is not done based on who was in the struggle and who was not. It is for everyone and we are doing our best to make sure that those who do not have houses get them.”