Pretoria - Democratic Alliance Tshwane mayoral candidate Solly Msimanga accused the African National Congress of sneaking their campaign projects into Mandela Day celebrations when he visited the Ikageng Old Age Centre in Mamelodi east on Monday.
“When we arrived here, it was quite interesting. When the ANC members heard that we were coming here, they went around and got their ANC T-shirts for these aged people. They told them that these are Nelson Mandela T-shirts. Now as you can see, they have given these old people old T-shirts written ‘Register to vote’. It’s unfortunate that this is the game being played,” said Msimanga, who was accompanied by several DA members.
“Today is not about that. It is about looking at what Mandela stood for, his values. We must embrace that spirit which Mandela embraced and the Ubuntu he had. We have to reflect how we treat our most vulnerable of our society, our children and the elderly. That is the true reflection of who we are as a people. I am glad that we are able to touch our people’s lives in different ways.”
The DA entourage interacted with the old age home residents who were wearing yellow ANC T-shirts with the “Register to vote” message. The DA entourage brought food stuffs and toiletry.
“It was good for us to spend our time with the elderly and to hear some of the old stories. One old lady was telling me about how everyone used to have work back in the day. She was narrating that now her grandchildren are not working. She was saying she wishes that they would find work because she said they are taking her pension money,” said Msimanga.
“That is something very sad about the current situation we find ourselves in today, so many years into the democratic dispensation. That is something I believe we are going to have to change in August (elections). Fortunately, I do not want to turn this day into a political thing.”
Earlier on Monday, the DA entourage visited places in Pretoria including a children’s home in Mooiplaas and another centre for girls in Sunnyside.
“These are the centres that are restoring dignity and protection for our young people. In Mooiplaas we helped with painting the play area and we donated some blankets. I have left teams of people who are cleaning up the place. We are also bringing the groceries and some coal heaters which are safe for the kids,” said Msimanga.
Mandela Day is commemorated annually in South Africa and several parts of the world to cherish the life of the globally acclaimed statesman. The United Nations officially declared July 18 as Nelson Mandela International Day in 2009 in honour of Madiba’s contribution to the struggle for democracy.
African News Agency