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With only a day left before the African National Congress (ANC) celebrates its 98th Anniversary, the movement's top brass today (Thursday, 7 January 2010) continued to engage and listen to communities in various towns of the Northern Cape - the venue for event.
Walkabouts, door-to-door visits, community meetings, mini rallies and memorial lectures in tribute to struggle stalwarts Joe Slovo and Sol Plaatjie have been among events marking the run-up to the 98th Anniversary which will see ANC President Jacob Zuma delivering the January 8 Statement at the GWK Park Stadium in Kimberly on Saturday (9 January 2010).
Braving the sweltering heat of the Northern Cape town of Douglas, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe - accompanied by Energy Minister Dipuo Pieters - today (Thursday, 7 January 2010) went on a walkabout in Bongani and Briepal townships, talking to communities to get an understanding of people's concerns.
After having gone on door-to-door visits in both townships, the Deputy President summed up his observations during an address to an open field mini rally in Bongani:
"It is great to have the opportunity to be with you. I come to you as your leader. Members of households in three homes I visited today belonged to COPE (Congress of the People). The general complains expressed are the same: cracking houses that reflect substandard workmanship, roofs that are built of asbestos which makes you sick, unemployment and lack of job opportunities, lack of recreational facilities.
"Douglas is a place where two rivers meet, yet there is a huge water shortage in this area. This area needs special attention and the President (Jacob Zuma) agrees with that approach. As we will be hosting the 2010 Fifa soccer world cup in June, eight of the country's provinces stand to benefit in infrastructural development, with the exception of the Northern Cape which will not be hosting any game. You will only be hosting countries wishing to use the Northern Cape as a training base. Because of this, the Northern Cape needs a special attention as it cannot be excluded from development."
Motlanthe said there was need "to co-ordinate intervention at national level" to deal with challenges seen in Douglas. "I am an ambassador of Douglas and pledge to come up with intervention, done in a co-ordinated fashion," he said.
He added: "This is my first and not the last visit. I will return to monitor progress in this area before the kick-off of the soccer world cup. One of the strengths that you have is the mineral deposits beneath the soil. Revenue from royalties from mining must benefit the community as a whole."
Among the ANC crowd to welcome Motlanthe in Briepal were COPE members clad in T-shirt and carrying placards to express their concerns. After a conversation with the Deputy President, Briepal branch chairperson Leon van Wyk said: "I am satisfied by his commitment that he will come back to us with answers. Housing and problems of sewerage are among key concerns."
Motlanthe will tonight (Thursday, 7 January 2010) address the Sol Plaatjie Memorial Lecture in Galeshewe, Kimberly. Tomorrow marks the 133rd years since the death of the ANC's first Secretary General.