African National Congress National Chairperson, Baleka Mbete, has urged residents of 2010 informal settlement at Welkom in the northern Free State to put their trust once again in the party to better their lives by voting ANC during the May 7 general elections.
Mbethe says it is important to remind the people about the road the party has walked with them.
In a large corrugated iron structure, similar to the structures community members build in the area, more than a 1 000 thousand church-goers attended the service in the Victory Fellowship Church.
The poorest of the poor stay there on the outskirts of Thabong, but their spirit remains high.
Mbete attended the church service and encouraged them to vote for the ANC.
She told them that they should not lose faith in the ANC despite their living conditions. “At the end of the day, it is to remind the people about their relationship with the ANC, the work the ANC has done and to say as we go to the elections, we yet again want to enforce the fact that they have to vote ANC.”
Mbete reminded the community about the ANC’s achievements after 20 years of ruling.
“What it is for our people is exactly the achievements we have scored the past 20 years. SA being as big as it is, the problems as many as they are, there is no way to address every issue in the past 20 years. Where we have started the evidence is there, the ANC knows what it is doing. We need the mandate to do what we do best. To address the conditions of our people and improve their lives for the better.”
The community members thanked Mbete for her visit and an opportunity to raise their concerns.
“Vote ANC and everything will be alright…I would like her to improve the infrastructure and building houses for the people that live here. I’m happy, I know something positive will come from her visit.
“I’m happy for Mbete to be here. I want her to build houses, and give us electricity and water and help grandma and foster care to have food, clothes and houses.”
The shack church, as it has been known to the people of Thabong, is a reflection of the hope in its community’s eyes.
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