The battle lines have been drawn as both the ANC and the DA bring out their big guns to campaign for next week's highly-contested by-elections in Ward 1.
The battle lines have been drawn as both the ANC and the DA bring out their big guns to campaign for next week's highly-contested by-elections in Ward 1.
The by-elections, planned for 22 July, come as a result of the death of Ward 1 ANC councillor Nomhle Ngoqo on 5 May.
Ngoqo, elected to the position in 2011, was a resident of Phumlani.
Municipal by-elections take place 90 days after a municipal ward council seat becomes vacant due to either death, expulsion or resignation of a ward councillor.
The ANC has elected former Makana Chief Whip and Ward 4 councillor, Melikhaya Phongolo, to represent it in the elections and the DA has nominated Riebeeck East resident, Cary Clark, as their candidate.
ANC Sarah Baartman regional secretary, Scara Njadayi, said that, as part of their campaign led by MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Mlibo Qoboshiyane, they addressed a mini rally in Riebeeck East on Saturday.
Qoboshiyane was accompanied by the members of the Regional Executive Committee in the attempt to galvanise by-election votes for the ANC.
The programme also included door-to-door visits and a meeting with emerging farmers.
Njadayi said the party wasn't done campaigning, adding that they were sure that they would be able to retain the ward.
"We are confident in the candidate we elected," he said.
Njadayi said this weekend they have planned more events in Riebeeck East. ANC Provincial Treasurer Thandiswa Marawu will today (Friday) address Riebeeck East residents and on Sunday the party will hold their Siyanqoba rally.
The DA is also pulling out all the stops and bringing along their senior leaders.
The party's Frontier constituency leader, Andrew Whitfield, told Grocott's Mail that Federal Chairperson Athol Trollip and DA MP, Nosimo Balindlela, will address the town's residents on Sunday (19 July).
Voters can cast their ballot in six different voting stations:
Alfred Dike Kota Hall; Carlisle Bridge Farm School; Committees Drift Police Station (Tent); Douglas Heights; Koonap Community Hall and Saint Aidan's Complex.
anele@grocotts.co.za
