ANC President Jacob Zuma listens to community concerns in Delft and Emfuleni

21 February 2009

Listening to community concerns, being asked to sign autographs and learning to express himself in Afrikaans, today (21 February 2009) marked the start of the first leg of the two-day Western Cape visit by African National Congress (ANC) President Jacob Zuma.

By 9am, a group of singing ANC supporters and NEC members had already assembled at the Delft taxi rank near Main Road to await the arrival of the presidential convoy.

On arrival, Zuma, followed by a phalanx of journalists, immediately got down to business on a door-to-door campaign in Delft and Mfuleni townships. Zuma visited several houses in Voorbrug and Mendoza streets where residents raised concerns on welfare and housing.

Christine Hoedemaker complained of the difficulty to access the Stress Relief Grant administered by the provincial Social Welfare Department. The grant, according to ANC Western Cape Chairperson Mcebisi Skwatsha, is meant to bring relief to poverty-stricken families and was “not based on colour as some perceive”. Taking details of Hoedemaker and other residents, he promised to bring their plight to the attention of the provincial Social Development MEC.

Sixty-year-old Winifred Blaauw asked Zuma to increase the amount paid to pensioners, saying it was “not the right amount”. Blaauw told Zuma: “We are old and cannot work anymore. This pension amount is not right. I am happy to hear that you will look into it. I am happy to see you face to face because I only see you on television. I am privileged to see you and wish you all the best with the future.”

For Freda Fortuin, getting the ANC President to sign an autograph on her white t-shirt, was all that she wanted. “I asked President Zuma for an autograph on my t-shirt. I am very happy he obliged and will not wash this t-shirt again. I have seen him on television before and am happy to see him in person,” said Fortuin.

Teenagers Amina Solomon and Simone Martin, who also had a chance to speak to the president said: “We want to appeal to him to make sure our streets are safer and to provide the youth with something to do and stop sitting on street corners. We want more opportunities.”

Zuma also visited ANC veterans Ndoda Garlicks Ndolo and Gideon Maseti who both expressed their joy at seeing him. “I am very happy by Jacob Zuma’s visit. However, the message I want to give him is that we are very hungry here. I would be grateful for any kind of help,” said Ndolo.

Later addressing a gathering at the Mfuleni taxi rank, Zuma said: “It is very important that every person use their right to vote to give a mandate to Government and keep it accountable. Any development in this country and its future are in your hands.”

Zuma spent lunch at the home of the late ANC stalwart Dullah Omar which has been transformed into the Dullah Omar Centre. He paid tribute to Omar for his contribution to the liberation of South Africa. The lunch was organised by Omar’s widow, Farida. She reiterated her family’s support for the ANC. “We are members of the ANC and will always be members of the ANC,” she said.

Zuma: “We have come here to draw inspiration, given the challenges that face the Western Cape today. Dullah Omar’s legacy lives and we, in the province, should work according to the principles that he left us.”

Zuma will tomorrow (22 February 2009) address an ANC rally in Khayelitsha.

Issued by:
African National Congress

Enquiries:
Brian Sokutu 071 671 6919
Moloto Mothapo 082 370 6930