ANC AND DA SQUARE OFF IN UMNGENI

Both the ANC and DA are pulling out the stops to win the right to govern uMngeni on November 2.

A week after Blade Nzimande, Minister for Higher Education, visited Howick to speak to voters in the central business district, another ANC heavyweight, the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa (pictured right), joined local councillors on a a door-to-door campaign in Mpophomeni.

He was accompanied by the ward 10 candidate, Sithembiso Msibi, uMngeni election co-ordinator, Thulani Mthalane, and other members from the Moses Mabhida region and uMngenisub-region. According to Mthalane, the minister was well-received by local residents and that it was clear that people still supported the governing party.

Nzimande, who is also the SACP Secretary-General,told The Hilton that most people only wantedthe municipality to address the simple things, like ensuring people have working streetlights, don’t have to contend with potholes and are able to live in a home with running water and decent sanitation.

“People do not have endless patience, so things like that [service delivery] need to be addressed,” he added.

“There is some anger, but they [people] realise also that the ANC has actually done a lot in terms of rolling out electricity, in terms of no fee schools, in terms of higher education.”

Meanwhile, DA supporters were out in force to listen to national leader, John Steenhuisen, and uMngeni mayoral candidate, Chris Pappas (pictured far right), in the barn at Le Petite France on the Karkloof Road for the party’s ‘We Can Win’ rally, last Friday.

Describing the local government elections in uMngenias a two-horse race between the DA and the ANC, Steenhuisenreminded supporters that in 2016 the party had won 10 seats on the 23-seat council, with the ANC winning 13.

“The good news is that the DA can win this race,” Steenhuisen added. “We only need to take two seats off the ANC to have a full majority here in uMngeni.

“We need to shift just 2500 votes to win those two extra seats.

“In a few days’ time, every voter in uMngeni will have to make a decision that could make or break this municipality. It’s one second to make that cross, and five years to live with the consequences.

“On November 1, you can end uMngeni’s downward spiral and put it on an upward spiral of more delivery, more investment, more jobs, more revenue, and yet more delivery. I’m not asking you to commit to the DA forever. I’m asking you to give us one chance – one five-year term – to prove ourselves to you.

“Hire us, and if you’re not impressed, fire us in five years’ time. That’s what democracy is all about.”