Residents of Phumlani township had an opportunity to raise their concerns with local African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) leaders on Monday.
Residents of Phumlani township had an opportunity to raise their concerns with local African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) leaders on Monday.
As part of its women’s month programme, the ANCWL volunteers conducted a door-to-door campaign to recruit residents and address their concerns.
“Since this is women’s month, we want to ensure that we visit women and residents to find out about issues which affect them,” said volunteer Mise Meti.
Resident Gwen Mvula received the volunteers with enthusiasm, saying: “This is the ANC we want. We want a visible ANC."
What ANCWL heard
Most of the residents raised concerns about unemployment, cracks in their houses, leaking roofs, blocked toilets and flooding on the streets which overflows into their yards on rainy days.
One resident, Xoliswa Wabana, who depends on her husband’s pension grant, complained that the money is not enough to maintain her family.
The residents also complained that ANC leaders only come to see them during election time and then disappear. ANCWL sub-regional co-ordinator Nosipho Kulati emphasised the importance of visiting local residents inbetween elections and helping them deal with their problems.
To ensure the residents’ concerns are met, the volunteers filled street sheets, which are forms used to record the houses visited and the problems residents experience.
“There are problems encountered by women; some do not have houses and they do not know where to go," said Kulati. "Using the street sheets, we are going to compile a list of complaints and refer them to relevant municipalities and departments.”
