ANC youth demand councillorship in ward 29 within FTLM

Ga-NTAKE

Members and supporters of the African National Congress (ANC) in Ga-Ntake under Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM) have written a memorandum addressed to the Executive Mayor of Sekhukhune, Mr Stanley Ramaila expressing their concern over rotational councillorship within their ward.

According to the residents their ward 29 candidate, Onius Moganedi was denied the opportunity to lead the movement for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE).

Residents allege the party failed to consider youth in their councillorship. They said their counter-community members in Ga-Maepa publicly said that they will not be led by a person who is under the age of 35.

For that reasons, Ntake residents grouped themselves and headed to the office of the executive mayor demanding the re-run of ward candidates nominations.

Concerned grouped dominated by youth said the ANC failed to maintain the issue of rotational ward candidates within ward 29.

“As democratic government, the ANC should familiarise itself with the party obligations in terms of section 8 of the constitution adopted measures to promote, protect and fulfil this right,” said scores of concerned pupils.

Community members said their patience has been tested for far too long. “Rights are there to give meaning and effect to voters of this ward 29,” they explained.

Should the ANC not review the elected ward councillor, residents’ plans to hold their votes back during the upcoming municipal elections. They described it as direct affront to the rights of the voters.

“Our village and its candidates have been ignored far too long, to a point where our leaders publicly say that our candidates are young to hold office of councillor,” they explained.

Residents said they cannot afford to commit their self to the party which does not value them.

“We understand the policy of the ANC to empower women but since our candidates obtained position two, during community nomination we are pleading to the organisation to consider the youth empowerment as well,” they said.

Ward 29 residents stated that their candidate is eligible to lead the movement going forward.

“We are not here to ask for privilege but we are here to demand the realisation of the objectives and goals of our struggle,” elaborated Ntake residents.

They said previous leaders in the ward failed to address their concerns. “We have tried to interact with various leaders to address this challenge of rotation leadership and we have been promised a councillorship, to this day that has not been done,” said residents.

They said they are tired of being told to be patient. “We can no longer wait and believe in slogans of convenience therefore we are here to demand radical community transformation,” community explained.

Residents said they’re unapologetic to demand transformed and honoured young leader in their ward.

They described current administration as lethargic condoning inequality.

Ntake residents further demanded the disparity in conditions of leadership and services between their village and the rest of the area within ward 29.

They said the ANC only considered the elderly and placed them on councillorship since the democratic dispensation.

“We demand that all the outstanding matters of mutual interest that have long been serving on the agenda be concluded as matter of urgency. And we also demand you to review the current candidate’s councillor selection process from our ward 29 at the regional office,”

They warned the party that should their grievances fall under deaf ears the party would see declining of votes from the area.

Residents demanded positive results after three working days or to face rampage within the concerned ward.