Witbank - Winter is the hardest time for Eunice Sifunda, who lives in an informal settlement just outside of eMalahleni, Mpumalanga.
Sifunda, a single unemployed mother of three, told Independent Media she had always voted ANC but the felt the ruling party had failed her. “We were promised RDP houses, and nothing has happened. It is so cold and I live in a shack. It is hard for me to cope everyday. But I try.”
Sifunda is part of a volunteer-driven clean-up programme which pays a stipend.
“We try to keep our community clean, but what does the government do for me? Nothing.”
With a three month old baby on her back, and two children in school, Sifunda said the mining town was experiencing all round failure with all services, “especially with water and electricity.”
The shack settlement she lives in, known as “MSN” among residents, is one of many around the country that rely on water tankers to deliver clean water, because of the gradual and systemic failure of water infrastructure.
While Independent Media was talking to Sifunda and her neighbour Cecilia Nkambule, an ANC helicopter on the campaign trail flew over the settlement.
“They can fly high while we suffer down here. There is no hope in this town, unless they build a home for us,” said Sifunda.
Nkambule shares her neighbour's sentiments and her despondency.
A resident who spoke to Independent Media on the basis of anonymity said even though the ANC had been less than competent, “we need them”.
“They have not failed us. Our country has been in turmoil for years, they are trying to fix a system that compromised us black people for so long.”
Dipuo Manaleng, who recently graduated from the University of Johannesburg, moved back to her hometown in hope of getting her “desired job”. However it has not been an easy road for her.
Manaleng studied Public Management and Governance but has been unable to find a job in her field of choice, and has taken on a temp job to ensure she is able to survive, until something better comes up.
She argued that the ANC has not failed the country but rather “elements and certain individuals” are the cause of the problems.
“It is people within government who are the problem not the whole political party, people need to understand the difference.”
Manaleng doesn't want to have to move to Johannesburg to find work and other opportunities. She is adamant she would like to work in the province where she grew up: “It's such a rich province.”
However, she admitted job opportunities are scarce.
Manaleng who lives in the Lynville township in eMalaheni has noted a big change in service delivery, particularly the condition of their water.
“There has been a huge improvement. But it is also important for us as the community and residents to look after our surroundings. It is almost like we have gotten used to everything being dirty.”
Despite tales of “unfulfilled promises” everywhere in Emalahleni, the town and its surrounding townships are dominated by the ANC, and that does not look like it will change in this election. ANC flags and posters dominate the main streets, as if no one else is running. Even Manaleng, despite her desperation, backs the ruling party.
“Most of us are young people, and we grew up when apartheid ended. We know who we are voting for.”
Executive Mayor Lindiwe Ntshalitshali said that close to 1 700 residents in the town have been resettled into formalised areas, with close to 6 500 houses built in Klarinet, one of the biggest informal settlements in eMalahleni.
Election bureau