Mashatile returns to campaign trail

Deputy President Paul Mashatile resumed public campaigning on October fourteenth in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, after a period of medical recovery. He had not appeared publicly from mid-June until last week.

Residents air grievances during door-to-door visits

During a door-to-door campaign in Ward forty-five ahead of the November fourth local government elections, residents complained about high electricity costs, disputed water bills and inconsistent refuse collection.

Pensioner struggles with water bill dispute

Eighty-one-year-old Simon Mtshweni told Mashatile he was struggling with outstanding municipal rates and an unusually high water bill caused by a neighbour's pipe. The problem remained unresolved until the pipe burst.

Pensioner cannot afford electricity costs

Pensioner Nozipho Nkambule complained that prepaid electricity she bought for two hundred rand only lasted one week. She said she simply cannot afford these rates.

“When one buys electricity for R200, it only lasts one week. I simply cannot afford these rates.”

Resident demands ANC act right

Sinah Molatudi told Mashatile directly: we really love the ANC, but your actions and the things you guys are doing are really disappointing us. She raised concerns about water, sanitation and inconsistent refuse collection.

“We really love the ANC, but your actions and the things you guys are doing are really disappointing us.”

Molatudi appeals for performance improvement

Molatudi asked Mashatile: can the ANC do things the right way so we can vote for you guys?She said the party's renewed presence in communities would not, on its own, persuade residents it had changed.

“Can the ANC do things the right way so we can vote for you guys?”

Corruption and unemployment deepen frustration

Speaking to Daily Maverick, Molatudi said corruption allegations and unemployment had deepened her frustration with the party. She said the ANC must sort themselves out and start acting right.

“The ANC must just sort themselves out and start acting right. They must fix these problems and have their house in order.”

Molatudi criticises Government of National Unity

Molatudi criticised the Government of National Unity, saying it was not working for ordinary residents. She said the ANC must prove themselves so they can come back as the majority ruling party.

“This GNU is not working for us. We don't need it.”

Pensioner supports unemployed son on pension

Seventy-nine-year-old Nocwaka Benya told the ANC delegation she was supporting her unemployed youngest son, who had lost his job through retrenchment, as well as his two children on her pension and child support grants.

Grandmother struggles to find suitable schooling

At another household, a grandmother caring for a young grandson who had lost his mother raised concerns about his access to suitable schooling. The boy has a brain tumour contributing to eyesight difficulties.

Mashatile claims positive reception

Mashatile said everywhere he had gone in Vosloorus, people were very positive in voting for the ANC.

“Everywhere I've gone here, people are very positive in voting for the ANC.”

ANC lost majority in key urban councils

The ANC remains under pressure to consolidate support in Gauteng's metropolitan municipalities after losing its outright majority in several key urban councils in previous local government elections.

Ekurhuleni results from twenty twenty-one

In Ekurhuleni, the ANC received thirty-eight point one nine percent of the vote in twenty twenty-one, ahead of the Democratic Alliance on twenty-eight point seven two percent and the Economic Freedom Fighters on thirteen point…

Mashatile acknowledges unmet needs

Mashatile said the ANC had made progress over the past thirty years in housing, social grants and schooling, but acknowledged not everyone had benefited. He attributed some economic difficulties to global factors including international conflict.