By Ayabonga Kosi
On Saturday, 27 January, ActionSA President Herman Mashaba, Eastern Cape Provincial Chairperson Athol Trollip, and members of the Provincial Executive Committee addressed local business people and Makhanda residents at Graham Hotel. The party also engaged with community members at Nathanial Nyaluza Secondary School and Extension 9 Community Hall despite attempted disruptions and intimidation by ANC supporters.
Trollip says that the visit aimed to promote an education campaign, which started on 15 January and will end on 30 December. “Right across the country and in all nine provinces and every single region, we have been visiting schools, and today we are going to visit Nathaniel Nyaluza High School; it’s a historic school, 75 years old,” said Trollip.
He added that the school is significant because it had the first Black isiXhosa-speaking principal and is a centre of excellence; however, just like the state of Makhanda, it is not in a good state.
Trollip added that though the town is in a dire state, he believes there is hope for change, which can happen by first ensuring that the high court is not moved and, more importantly, changing the current political establishment. “You can’t do the same thing repeatedly expecting a different outcome,” he said.
Trollip continued, saying, “We can blame the ANC administration for what Makhanda looks like…but they do not govern the city alone, there [are other]political parties…who throw their lot in with the ANC.”
He says that things need to be done differently. “As long as I am still involved in politics, Makhanda will be one of my focal points.”
Using the Titanic as a metaphor for Makhanda Titanic, Trollip says they plan to avert an impending crisis by going in a different direction. He added that the party has grown tremendously in the town, as they have six branches and two in the pipeline.
Trollip implored Makhandans to break generational voting patterns, just as he had done after 38 years of being in one political party. He adds that in South Africa, there are 18 million South Africans who have broken voting patterns by voting for ActionSA.
Mashaba also shared his journey and the evolution of ActionSA, formerly the People’s Dialogue, as a force challenging generational voting patterns in smaller communities like Makhanda. He said he desires to democratically replace the ANC from power, with notable success in securing 44 councillors in Johannesburg, 19 in Tshwane and 15 in Ekuruleni. “If you want your children to forever be dependent, indebted and in slavery to this government, you must accept what is happening here today.”
Trollip stated that the party aims to get the job done and stay honest by doing away with corruption.
Mashaba expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of substantial change post-apartheid, accusing the African National Congress (ANC) of perpetuating poverty through the social grant system. He criticised the alleged capture of the criminal justice system by criminals and condemned the country’s high crime rates and drug-related issues as a “genocide”.
“Are these issues accidental? These are deliberate; this government wants to keep people poor and dependent,” he said, adding, “Human rights are enjoyed when you are on the wrong side of the law in this country.”
Speaking at Nathaniel Nyaluza High School, Mashaba addressed concerns about the deteriorating South African education system and blamed the ANC for the condition of the town and the school. He cautioned parents and residents about the consequences of voting for continually voting for the ANC thirty years into a democracy. “Either decide to vote the ANC out or deal with the consequences.”
Following the visit to Nathaniel Nyaluza, the ActionSA delegation was met by alleged ANC supporters at the Extension 9 Community Hall; despite attempted disruptions and intimidation, ActionSA persisted in engaging constituents on issues like broken promises, infrastructure challenges, and their basic needs.
Makhanada resident Bonisile George Peter spoke of broken promises regarding service delivery of basic needs. “We voted for the ANC, promised electricity connections and better housing; we still stay in dirt houses,” said Peter.
Another resident, Thandi Tsana, echoed the same sentiment: “During heavy rains, I cannot fetch the kids due to the muddy roads; these kids end up walking up to 9 km to their school or a central transport point.”
Speaking to Grocott’s Mail, Trollip shared views similar to those of Makhanda residents and ActionSA supporters about the state of Makhanda. “The town has lost all of its dignity”.
He added that it is not just the role of the ANC but that all parties should take responsibility for the town. “Many other parties have been represented in that council for 30 years. They should take responsibility because if they’re not in government, they should oppose this rotten government but have been unable to do that effectively.”
As ActionSA’s campaign gains momentum, the party strives to reshape the political landscape and influence voters toward an alternative vision for the nation’s future.
