Former Eastern Cape Premier Nosimo Balindlela wants the women of Makana to become economically independent.
Former Eastern Cape Premier Nosimo Balindlela wants the women of Makana to become economically independent.
As the guest speaker at a rally in Fingo Village's BB Zondani public hall last Saturday, she stated her intention to revive the township homestay initiative she once started in the area.
"That is why I am here today, to remind women of Makana of what we started years ago… We started Kwam eMakana because we wanted people to use their homes to earn some income," she said. When she led the province she also made sure "the people in government stopped using luxury accommodation places, but spent government money in the township," she said.
"The taxi industry in Makana also got involved in this project." But Balindlela is no longer a member of the ANC – the party she led during her tenure as premier from 2004 to 2008.
She is now with the Democratic Alliance. Balindlela joined the DA late last year and is now leader of the Amathole District Constituency. She was in Grahamstown last weekend with provincial DA spokesperson Veliswa Mvenya. She said she returned to ask residents to revive the projects she had started and also include art groups.
"Things must not be done in town only, but we must also bring [economic opportunities]to the poor people in the townships. That is the main reason I have visited Grahamstown." When asked why she moved to the DA, Balindlela said she joined politics for one thing: to get close to the community.
"I wanted to be close to the people and share my knowledge, which I gained in education. I have always had these principles and when I join a political party I look for those principles. "If these principles are no longer visible in that political party, then I look for another party," she said.
"I am happy that I left the ANC because I was able to protect my dignity. I had to be an independent thinker when things were not going well. I am sad by how things went wrong in Cope because I thought we would succeed. There were two bulls in one kraal from the beginning and it is like that even today…"
Balindlela now sees her future with the DA, with policies anchored in "reconciliation, diversity and also the fact that they preach improvement of the economy".
