Some KZN residents express mixed views on GNU

Some KZN residents express mixed views on GNU

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Some KwaZulu-Natal residents have mixed views on the Government of National Unity (GNU) and the expected announcement of new executives by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Ten political parties joined the GNU after the May 29 general election as no party had an outright majority.

KwaZulu-Natal residents say they are waiting in anticipation for the announcement of the country’s new cabinet.

The residents say they want an efficient government that will address the social and economic challenges faced by all South Africans.

One of them says, “I would wish that these parties be able to work together, and each party is able to have a representative as a minister and they must choose educated and experienced people in the field.”

Another resident argues that “The ministry of finance shouldn’t be in ANC hands, it should be an opposition because you only see the new player on the field and his level of comprehension in putting the strategic motions so that South Africa comes out of this deep hole. We need to have a strong border efficiency so I think Home Affairs also must be given to a non-ANC member.”

“My opinion is that there can’t be too many bulls in a kraal, who will lead this GNU because they are all leaders from parties,  some have already said they don’t want NSFAS, BEE,  they don’t want land without compensation. How are they going to take decisions because this touches the lives of black people?” a community member adds.

Ethekwini warns parties to remove their posters or pay a fine

Ethekwini warns parties to remove their posters or pay a fine

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The eThekwini Municipality has called on political parties to remove their election posters from the city’s street poles and other municipal infrastructure.

The municipality says parties failing to do so will be fined over R1000 rand per poster.

In a statement, the eThekwini Municipality says political parties must remove posters within 30 days after the date of the elections.

The deadline for the removal of the posters is this weekend or face a fine.

Political parties and independent candidates were allowed to have 8oo hundred posters per ward.

‘Parties’ coalition partners in KZN will affect LGE performance’

‘Parties’ coalition partners in KZN will affect LGE performance’

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Political analyst Prof. Bheki Mngomezulu says parties’ choices of coalition partners in KwaZulu-Natal are likely to have an impact on their performance in the 2026 local government elections.

Political parties in the province have started negotiations, after the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party won locally but without an outright majority.

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) remains the official opposition in the province.

Mngomezulu says the current political situation will add an interesting dimension to the local polls.

He says, “The coalition that will be reached now will have a direct impact on the 2026 local government election, simply because I am a voter, I vote for you, you take my vote and you give it to somebody else.”

“And that is not going to sit down well with the electorate and some parties will be punished in 2026, if for example you find that there is a party that you didn’t like at all and suddenly you see the party that you voted for is now going bed with that particular party. So, definitely whatever coalition agreements that they make now will have a direct impact on how those parties will perform.”

Mtolo not concerned about criticism of ANC

Mtolo not concerned about criticism of ANC

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African National Congress (ANC) Provincial Secretary Bheki Mtolo says he is not concerned about criticism, as the ANC has done a lot to better people’s lives.

“We are not concerned about that and the main reason why people don’t vote for opposition parties because voters ask themselves that if opposition parties can have the guts to lie in front of their faces that the ANC hasn’t done anything, why they should trust that they will do what they are saying in their manifesto. We are here today and people are happy with what the ANC has done. We have done things where people live.”

As the ANC intensifies its election campaign in and around eThekwini in KwaZulu-Natal, community members from Zwelibomvu in Mbumbulu have expressed mixed feelings about service delivery in the area.

Some believe the governing party has delivered services adequately.

Others say the area lacks basic service delivery and is underdeveloped.

Resident Moses Ndlovu says, “Nobody can say he can not vote for the ANC, there is no country in Africa that gives people grants and we must not forget about our home which is the ANC. I think we need to use these opportunities availed by the ANC for our own benefits such as producing vegetables and sell them.

However, Wandile Mgobhozi says, “They haven’t achieved their promises, we all need development but we see here is that there is no housing projects and it’s selective. We need these houses. It’s painful to us because we don’t have what other people have.”

Elections 2024 | ANC deploys heavyweights to KZN:

 

IFP’s Hlabisa laments corruption

IFP’s Hlabisa laments corruption

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IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa says people have lost confidence in government because it appears to be losing the fight against corruption, unemployment and crime.

He was speaking at the party’s election campaign rally in eFolweni, south of Durban.

“Today we pause to take stock of the progress our country has made over the period of 30 years. Indeed, progress has been made but at a greater scale our country is going back down the drain, the rate of unemployment is amazing and the rate of crime has devastated of our communities. Load shedding has destroyed our economy, corruption has robbed of our people of benefits that should have benefited them. Billions that disappeared in the hands of the corrupt government.”