By Hannes Myburgh

Poor service delivery has a negative impact on women's emancipation. This was former deputy president Baleka Mbete's Women's Day message in Ivory Park, north of Joburg, yesterday.

"If councillors don't do their jobs, it has 10 times more impact on women," Mbete said.

"Everything that the government is not doing is a minus (in terms of) a better life for the people."

Although Mbete was invited in her own capacity, the event soon turned political, with some women clad in ANC T-shirts singing uMshini Wam.

She faced a barrage of complaints about unemployment and lack of education and housing opportunities. Some community members accused councillors of sabotaging the event by not informing the local ANC branch of her visit.
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• This article was originally published on page 6 of The Star on August 11, 2009