Johannesburg - A 72-year-old Alexandra woman spoke on Wednesday of her plans not to vote in next week's elections, saying she was tired of politicians' empty promises.
“They promise us all sorts of things when they want our votes and (then) disappear,” said Gloria Gardener.
She was one of the people who attended a Democratic Alliance campaign event in the township in Johannesburg.
DA leader Helen Zille and Gauteng premier candidate Mmusi Maimane were at the forefront of the DA entourage seeking to woo voters.
Gardener said voting did not make any difference so she would rather stay away.
“I have been voting and I have not seen any of the things that they promised us before the elections.”
She said she lived in dire conditions and her family of eight were dependent on her social grant and her disabled daughter's grant.
Gardener accused politicians of seeking to improve only their own lives.
Maimane told supporters it was unfair that President Jacob Zuma's cattle lived better than Alexandra residents did in their hostels.
He said the township had some major shortfalls and the party wanted to ensure that residents received the development due to them.
“Here outside the woman's hostel the quality of life is absolutely disappointing.”
A 34-year-old mother of two, Cynthia Msiya, said conditions were very bad in the hostel.
She was renting and sharing a room with three other families at the hostel.
Msiya said she could not wait to vote because she wanted a job and a decent house.
Zille and her team toured the hostel to experience the conditions people were living under. She promised if they voted for her party, conditions would change and more jobs would be created.
“A vote for the DA is a vote for the growing economy plus jobs. People will choose to accept our offer for jobs by voting for the DA.”
She said her party was targeting Gauteng because it wanted to grow its economy.
The campaign then moved to Banakeleleni Orphanage where Maimane handed over more than 30 DA-branded blankets.
The home housed 18 children aged between two and 18.
Founder Rose Martins said the blankets would be helpful.
She said they had sent a wish list to the DA and she was glad they came back.
“A lot of politicians promise us things and never come back to us.”
Sapa